FACTORS INFLUENCING RELATIVE RATES OF SYNTHESIS OF ADULT AND FETAL HEMOGLOBIN IN VITRO*

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Abstract
Reticulocyte-rich suspensions of human umbilical cord blood red cells were incubated in vitro with Fe59 iron-binding protein or C14 leucine. The red cells were then hemo-lyzed, and the main components of fetal and adult hemoglobin were isolated by column chromatography on IRC-50. When Fe59 was used as a label, the heme was crystallized to constant specific activity. In 10 experiments under 95% N2, 5% CO, the ratio of fetal to adult hemoglobin synthesized increased as in duplicate experiments under 95% O2 and 5% CO2. The results were significant at the 0.5% level. Glucose deficiency also favored fetal hemoglobin synthesis. Fetal hemoglobin may be an adaptation to the fetal environment in which O2 and glucose are at a premium.