Selective activation of human beta;- but not gamma;-globin gene in human fibroblast X mouse erythroleukaemia cell hybrids

The human α- and β-globin genes have been activated in MEL times; human fibroblast cell hybrids. However, even though the human γ- and β-globin genes are closely linked and were shown in these hybrid clones to be present in approximately equal numbers, no human γ-globin mRNA was produced. Thus, the human β- and γ-globin genes in these cells are differentially regulated apparently by a positive regulatory factor(s) specific for individual globin genes.