Characterization of DNA sequences localized 11 to 17.5 kb upstream of the chicken embryonic pi-globin gene

We have analyzed the DNA fragment localized about 11 to 17.5 kb upstream of the chicken alpha-globin gene domain (the fragment was designed as alpha-0 ). The nucleotide sequence of its 3.3 kb-long 5' part was established and i nteractions with nuclear matrix proteins were studied. The DNA region local ized about 16 kb upstream of the embryonic pi-globin gene showed high affin ity to nuclear matrices in vitro. Two palindromes and a cluster of inverted repeats were co-localized in the same region. The whole 6.6 kb alpha-0 fra gment decreased the activity of linked CAT reporter gene when transfected i nto chicken erythroblastoid cells.