Introduction and expression of a rabbit beta-globin gene in mouse fibroblasts.

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The cloned chromosomal rabbit .beta.-globin gene was introduced into mouse fibroblasts (L+K-; neoplastic thymidine kinase deficient) by DNA-mediated gene transfer (transformation) using .lambda. phage vector Charon 4A with herpes simplex virus DNA which codes for thymidine kinase. The expression of the rabbit gene was examined in 6 independent transformants that contain 1-20 copies of the cloned globin gene. Rabbit globin transcripts were detected in 2 of these transformants at steady-state concentrations of 5 and 2 copies per cell. The globin transcripts from one cell line are polyadenylylated and migrate as 9S RNA on methylmercury gels. These transcripts reflect correct processing of the 2 intervening sequences but lack 48 .+-. 5 nucleotides present at the 5'' terminus of rabbit erythrocyte globin mRNA.