Cloning and characterization of K562 cells on hemoglobin synthetic activity

Two clones of the K562 human leukemic cell line were isolated according to hemoglobin (Hb) expression. One clone was expressed less than 5% (K562-L) and the other more than 90% (K562-H). The two clones did not exhibit any difference in cell growth or cell cycle. However, the Hb expression of K562-H cells was reduced by succinylacetone (S.A.). The above results suggested that the difference in the Hb production of K562-L and K562-H cells depended on the heme synthetic activity. On the other hand, glycophorin A was expressed to a greater extent on K562-L cells than on K562-H cells. These findings suggested that heme synthesis and the expression of glycophorin A on K562 cells were not always related. The CD11b and the CD61 were also expressed to a greater extent on K562-L cells than on K562-H cells, but the CD34 was not expressed on these cells.