Dr. Jorg Bungert
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
The focus of our laboratory is to analyze the structure
and function of the human beta-globin locus control region (LCR),
a powerful DNA regulatory element composed of five DNaseI hypersensitive
sites (HS1 to HS5) and located from 8 to 22 Kbp upstream of the human epsilon-globin
gene. The LCR regulates the chromatin structure over the beta-globin
gene locus and is required for high level globin gene expression throughout
erythroid development. Our previous work suggest that the individual HS
elements interact to generate a higher order structure, referred to as
the LCR holocomplex, and that this complex communicates in a stage-specific
manner with individual globin genes. We are interested in the question
of how the HS sites synergize to generate a fully active LCR. To address
this question, we use both genetic as well as biochemical assays. In order
to identify DNA elements critically involved in LCR function, we are analyzing
the effect of specific LCR mutations on chromatin structure and expression
of the globin genes in human beta-globin YAC transgenic mice. Second, in
order to examine mutual interactions between LCR HS elements, we generate
HS sites in vitro, using chromatin assembly in combination with erythroid
specific protein extracts, and analyze these macro molecular protein/DNA
complexes with a variety of biochemical and biophysical techniques.
Lab Members
Jorg Bungert: Principle Investigator
Kelly Leach: Graduate
Student
Padraic Levings: Graduate
Student
Karen Vieira: Graduate
Student
Sung-Hae Kang: Post-Doctoral
Investigator
Gail Green: Lab Technician
Christof Dame: MD,
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Nemanja Rodic: Collaborating
Post-Baccalaureate
Justin Brooten: Undergraduate Student
Useful Links
Globin Gene Server
Chromatin Structure
and Function
UF College of Medicine IDP
"Mr. B. Happy"