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Updated: Sep 13, 2026

Identification and Analysis of Mouse Erythroid Progenitors using the CD71/TER119 Flow-cytometric Assay
Published on: August 5, 2011
Effect of heme on globin messenger RNA synthesis in spleen erythroid cells
Abstract:
Synthesis of globin mRNA in erythroid spleen cells from anemic mice was measured after in vitro incubation under conditions in which the level of intracellular heme was manipulated. This newly synthesized globin mRNA was isolated by hybridization with globin cDNA covalently bound to cellulose. Isonicotinic acid hydrazide (INH) and penicillamine were used as specific inhibitors of heme synthesis. It has been found that a 120-min incubation of spleen erythroid cells with 5mM INH or 5mM penicillamine reduced [3H] uridine incorporation into globin mRNA by 24% or 36%, respectively. The addition of heme to INH- or penicillamine-treated cells almost completely restored [3H] uridine incorporation into globin mRNA. These results indicate that heme stimulates transcription of processing of globin mRNA.
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