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Effect of polyamines on hemoglobin and globin chain synthesis
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|June 14, 1985
Summary
Polyamines like spermidine and spermine enhance hemoglobin synthesis in reticulocytes by stimulating globin chain production. These findings suggest polyamines play a role in regulating globin synthesis at the translational level.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Hematology
Background:
- Polyamines are essential cations involved in various cellular processes.
- Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells crucial for hemoglobin production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of polyamines (spermidine, spermine, putrescine) on hemoglobin and globin chain synthesis in reticulocytes.
- To determine the impact of polyamines on the alpha/beta globin synthetic ratio.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of reticulocytes to varying concentrations of spermidine, spermine, and putrescine.
- Measurement of 14C leucine incorporation into hemoglobin and globin polypeptide chains.
- Analysis of the synthetic alpha/beta globin ratio.
Main Results:
- Spermidine and spermine (25 mM) stimulated 14C leucine incorporation into hemoglobin and globin chains.
- These polyamines preferentially increased beta chain synthesis, decreasing the alpha/beta globin ratio.
- Putrescine inhibited hemoglobin synthesis at concentrations >10 mM without altering the alpha/beta ratio.
- Observed effects occurred at physiological intracellular polyamine levels due to low red cell membrane permeability.
Conclusions:
- Polyamines, particularly spermidine and spermine, play a significant role in regulating hemoglobin synthesis.
- These polyamines fine-tune the alpha/beta globin ratio at the translational level.
- Putrescine exhibits an inhibitory effect on hemoglobin synthesis at higher concentrations.