Iron metabolism in murine erythroleukaemic cells

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Abstract
In an attempt to develop a model system for analyzing Fe metabolism in a relatively homogeneous population of early red cell precursors, the intracellular distribution of 59Fe was examined in Friend murine erythroleukemic cells after induction of Hb synthesis with dimethylsulfoxide. After incubation of the cells with 59Fe-labeled transferrin, 59Fe was incorporated into Hb, various ferritin fractions, and into the pellet obtained by centrifugation. No intracellular transferrin or low MW compounds were found. In a series of chase experiments 59Fe accumulated in heme, and some of this radioactivity appeared to be derived from the ferritin fraction. Extra Fe could be mobilized from ferritin during chase experiments using Fe deficient incubation medium. Ferritin Fe in early red cell precursors apparently can be utilized for Hb synthesis.