Chromatin conformation during cell differentiation of human myeloid leukemia cells

A novel human promyelocytic leukemia cell line (HL-60) has been shown to form terminally differentiated granulocytes in the presence of dimethyl-sulfoxide (DMSO), some other chemicals, or colony stimulating factor. Compared to chromatin from HL-60 cells, chromatin from DMSO treated HL-60 cells showed an enrichment in low temperature melting material. The decrease in thermostability of chromatin from HL-60 cells after DMSO treatment is similar to the shift in thermostability of chromatin from human lymphocytes after stimulation with phytohemagglutinin (PHA). These results suggest that changes in the thermostability of chromatin may not be specific for cell differentiation or PHA stimulation.