Unbalanced Globin Chain Synthesis in Erythroid Precursor Cells of Heterozygous αThalassaemia

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Abstract
Globin biosynthesis was studied in both erythroid precursors and reticulocytes of 3 individuals with heterozygous .alpha.-thalassemia. In contrast to the finding of equal or nearly equal .alpha. and .beta. chain synthesis in the marrow of patients with heterozygous .beta.-thalassemia previously examined, these studies showed equal degrees of unbalanced globin synthesis in both reticulocytes and nucleated erythroid cells of .alpha.-thalassemia heterozygotes. Greater stability and less susceptibility to proteolysis of the excess .beta.-chain formed in .alpha.-thalassemia may explain these findings.