Glycoprotein Biosynthesis in Human Reticulocytes: A Lesion in Thalassemia

Abstract
The rate of incorporation of glucosamine into the glycoprotein of reticulocyte stroma is greatly increased in thalassemia. This increase suggests a major enzymic disorder in the buildup of cellular membrane and reconciles the accumulation of material showing a positive reaction with periodic acid Schiff reagent with the clinical picture of oligocythemia and microcytosis.