Butyrate induces expression of transfected human fetal and endogenous mouse embryonic globin genes in GM 979 erythroleukemia cells

We have analyzed the expression of endogenous murine genes and of transfected human fetal Aγ globin gene in GM 979, a mouse erythroleukemia line which produces adult as well as embryonic globins. Optimal induction of the endogenous murine adult globin genes was obtained with DMSO or HMBA while the ϵy and βh1 embryonic genes were preferentially induced by butyrate. Similarly, the transferred human Aγ globin gene was preferentially induced by butyrate. These results as well as previous observations in vivo or in erythroid cell cultures suggest that butyrate preferentially induces the expression of fetal globin genes.