Globin synthesis in heterokaryons formed between chick erythrocytes and human K562 cells or rat L6 myoblasts

Chick globin synthesis was studied in heterokaryons formed between chick erythrocytes and human K562 erythroleukemia cells or rat L6J1 myoblasts. It was found that chick globin synthesis was activated after fusion of definitive (17 to 19-day) chick erythrocytes obtained from 17 to 19-day embryos with K562 cells. Chick globins appeared to be of the adult alpha A, alpha D and beta types, whereas no embryonic globin synthesis could be detected. The pattern and time-course of globin synthesis was investigated after fusion of 4 to 5-day embryonic erythrocytes with rat L6J1 myoblasts. The level of globin synthesis was high at early time points but then decreased. Globin synthesis, however, was still detectable at 9 days in these heterokaryons. Chick alpha A, alpha D and epsilon-globin chain synthesis was observed both at early and late time points after fusion.