Identification of a NF-κB site in the negative regulatory element (ε-NRAII) of human ε-globin gene and its binding protein NF-κB p50 in the nuclei of K562 cells

Abstract

The developmental control of the human ε-globin gene expression is mediated by transcription regulatory elements in the 5' flanking DNA of this gene. Sequence analysis has revealed a DNA motif (GGGGAATTTGCT) similar to NF-κB consensus sequence resides in the negative regulatory element (-3028bp ∼ -2902bp, termed ε-NRAII) 5' to the cap site of this gene. NRF DNA fragment (-3010bp ∼ -2986bp) containing the NF-κB motif similar sequence was synthesized and used in electrophoresis mobility shift assay (EMSA) and competitive analysis. Data showed that a protein factor from nuclear extracts of K562 cells specifically interacted with NRF DNA fragment. The synthetic NF DNA fragment (containing NF-κB consensus sequence) could competed for the protein binding, but MNF DNA fragment (mutated NF-κB motif) could not, suggesting that the binding protein is a member of NF-κB/Rel family. Western blot assay demonstrated that the molecular weight of NF-κB protein in the nuclei of K562 cells is 50ku. We suggested that NF-κB p50 may play an important role in the regulation of human ε-globin gene expression.