SPECIFIC GLOBIN MESSENGER-RNAS IN HUMAN ERYTHROLEUKEMIA (K562) CELLS

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 63  (1) , 195-200
Abstract
Specific globin mRNA accumulation was quantitated in several lines of K562 cells in the absence and the presence of hemin. Using specific cloned DNA probes, the amounts of .zeta., .alpha., .epsilon. and .gamma. mRNA were shown to be increased 2- to 3-fold in the presence of 20 .mu.M hemin. No .delta.- or .beta.-globin mRNA were detectable in any of the lines. In 1 line, Bos, there was a marked decrease in .epsilon.-globin mRNA, which increased with hemin, although still to much lower levels than in the other lines. The decreased .epsilon.-globin mRNA accumulation in Bos is shown to be due to decreased .epsilon.-globin gene transcription.