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The closely linked H19 and Igf2 genes show highly similar patterns of gene expression but are reciprocally imprinted. H19 is expressed almost exclusively from the maternally inherited chromosome, while Igf2 expression is mostly from the paternal chromosome. In humans, loss of imprinting at this locus is associated with tumors and with developmental disorders. Monoallelic expression at the imprinted Igf2/H19 locus occurs by at least two distinct mechanisms: a developmentally regulated silencing of the paternal H19 promoter, and transcriptional insulation of the maternal Igf2 promoters. Both mechanisms of allele-specific silencing are ultimately dependent on a common cis-acting element located just upstream of the H19 promoter. The coordinated expression patterns and some experimental data support the idea that positive regulatory elements are also shared by the two genes. To clarify the organization and function of positive and negative regulatory elements at the H19/Igf2 locus, we analyzed two mouse mutations. First, we generated a deletion allele to localize enhancers used in vivo for expression of both H19 and Igf2 in mesodermal tissues to sequences downstream of the H19 gene. Coincidentally, we demonstrated that some expression of Igf2 is independent of the shared enhancer element. Second, we used this new information to further characterize an ectopic H19 differentially regulated region and the associated insulator. We demonstrated that its activity is parent-of-origin dependent. In contrast to recent results from Drosophila model systems; we showed that this duplication of a mammalian insulator does not interfere with its normal function. Implications of these findings for current models for monoallelic gene expression at this locus are discussed.

Igf2 and H19 exhibit parent-of-origin-specific monoallelic expression. H19 is expressed from the maternal chromosome and Igf2 from the paternal. The two genes share enhancer elements and monoallelic expression of both genes is dependent on cis-acting sequences upstream of the H19 promoter. In this work we examine the mechanisms by which this region silences the maternal Igf2 allele and we demonstrate that deletion of this region can result in high levels of activation of both H19 and Igf2 from a single chromosome. Moreover, by inserting this cis element between a promoter and its enhancer at a heterologous position, we demonstrate that the sequences carry both insulator activity and the ability to be stably imprinted. We also characterize the insulator in vitro and show that it is neither enhancer nor promoter specific.

Ouabain, a specific inhibitor of the sodium- and potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase, causes reversible inhibition of the fusion of myoblasts to form myotubes. We further examined this observation to investigate whether control of Na/K-ATPase activity may normally contribute to the regulation of myogenesis. In control cultures, fusion was preceded by a small decrease in intracellular sodium concentration, but intracellular sodium and potassium increased significantly during fusion. Levels of ouabain that produce prolonged inhibition of fusion (400 microM) virtually eliminated sodium and potassium gradients. However, lower ouabain levels (10-100 microM) also produced significant changes in intracellular potassium and/or sodium along with little apparent decrease in the eventual extent of fusion. The effect of ouabain on protein synthesis was also examined. Low levels of ouabain (<50 microM) that did not affect myogenesis also did not affect incorporation of radiolabeled amino acids, while higher concentrations produced a decline in protein synthesis that paralleled decreases in the rate of myoblast fusion. Levels of metabolic labeling were reduced 90% in cultures treated with 400 microM ouabain. Inhibition of protein synthesis would prevent membrane remodeling required for fusion and other events in myogenesis. Thus, our results do not support any specific role for the sodium- and potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase in regulating myogenesis.