Unbalanced globin chain synthesis in erythroid precursor cells of heterozygous alpha-thalassaemia.
Globin biosynthesis was studied in both erythroid precursors and reticulocytes of three individuals with heterozygous alpha-thalassaemia. In contrast to the finding of equal or nearly equal alpha and beta chain synthesis in the marrow of patients with heterozygous beta-thalassaemia previously examined, our studies showed equal degrees of unbalanced globin synthesis in both reticulocytes and nucleated-erythroid cells of alpha-thalassaemia heterozygotes. Greater stability and less susceptibility to proteolysis of the excess beta-chain formed in alpha-thalassaemia may explain our findings.
D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000378:metabolism; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000378:metabolism*; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells; D005914:Globins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D012156:Reticulocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D005914:Globins; D007501:Iron