Elsevier

Experimental Cell Research

Volume 130, Issue 2, December 1980, Pages 345-352
Experimental Cell Research

Biosynthesis of Hb in individual fetal liver bursts: γ-Chain production peaks earlier than β-chain in the erythropoietic pathway

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Abstract

The relative synthesis of α-, β-, Gγ- and Aγ-globin chains has been evaluated in single fetal liver bursts, which were grown in methylcellulose cultures, individually labelled with [3H]leucine and then analysed via iso-electric focusing. Well-hemoglobinized bursts demonstrate a homogeneous globin synthetic pattern, characterized by prevalent HbF (+some HbA) synthesis: thus, they apparently originate from a homogeneously programmed population of erythroid burst-forming unit (BFU-E). On day 8–9 of culture, the synthetic pattern in ‘mature’ (i.e., well-hemoglobinized) bursts has been compared with that in simultaneously-grown, ‘immature’ (i.e., poorly-hemoglobinized) colonies. These patterns have been further compared with that in ‘matured’ bursts (identified in situ as immature on day 8–9 and labelled 2–4 days later when matured). The ‘immature’ colonies showed very low levels of relative β-globin synthesis, while the ‘mature’ ones demonstrated a more elevated production of β-chain. Significantly, the ‘matured’ bursts showed a globin chain synthetic pattern similar to that of previously labelled ‘matured’ colonies. It is postulated therefore that in fetal liver (and also in adult marrow) the synthesis of γ-chain is linked to an early differentiation stage of erythroblasts, while β-globin synthesis is largely activated at a more advanced maturation stage.

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This work was supported by grants from Euratom, Brussels (no. 159-76-7-BIOI) and from Volkswagen Foundation, Hanover, to C. P. and from CNR, Rome, Progetti Finalizzati, nos 78-0258.96, 80.01133.83 to S. O. and 79.00634.96 to C. P. and to A. M. G.

These data were presented in part at the EMBO Workshop on “Erythropoiesis and differentiation in Friend Leukemia Cells”, Urbino, 1979.

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