Identification of the truncated Duffy mRNAs in erythroid cells

Chaudhruri et al. reported the Duffy glycoprotein cDNA (Fy71-81) (Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1990; 90; 10793), and we cloned a novel Duffy cDNA named Fy0.1 (Blood 1996; 87: 378). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed the presence of the four truncated mRNAs associated with both transcripts. The truncated Duffy mRNAs is predominantly present in reticulocytes but is not detected in the erythroblasts. The sequencing data indicated that the truncated Duffy mRNAs were processed by splicing. Further study is needed to clarify the biological role of the truncated Duffy mRNA in reticulocytes.