Ratios of α-to β-globin mRNA and regulation of globin synthesis in reticulocytes

J. A. Phillips; P. G. Snyder; H. H. Kazazian

doi:10.1038/269442a0

Ratios of α-to β-globin mRNA and regulation of globin synthesis in reticulocytes

J. A. Phillips, P. G. Snyder, H. H. Kazazian

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Abstract

THE genomes of several mammalian species contain at least two α globin loci and a single β globin locus so that the ratio of α- to β-globin genes is 2 : 1 or more^1-3. Despite this difference in number of genes, reticulocytes from these species synthesise equal numbers of α- and β-globin chains indicating that compensatory regulation must occur. Cytoplasmic mRNA is an intermediate between the gene and globin protein, and it has been suggested that the cellular α/β mRNA ratio is an important factor in achieving balanced globin synthesis^4-6. We report here an excess of 30% α mRNA on reticulocyte polysomes of rabbits, mice, and sheep. Our data also illustrate the potential for errors in studies in which only poly(A)⁺ RNA is assayed.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	442-445
Number of pages	4
Journal	Nature
Volume	269
Issue number	5627
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/269442a0
State	Published - 1977
Externally published	Yes

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title = "Ratios of α-to β-globin mRNA and regulation of globin synthesis in reticulocytes",

abstract = "THE genomes of several mammalian species contain at least two α globin loci and a single β globin locus so that the ratio of α- to β-globin genes is 2 : 1 or more1-3. Despite this difference in number of genes, reticulocytes from these species synthesise equal numbers of α- and β-globin chains indicating that compensatory regulation must occur. Cytoplasmic mRNA is an intermediate between the gene and globin protein, and it has been suggested that the cellular α/β mRNA ratio is an important factor in achieving balanced globin synthesis4-6. We report here an excess of 30% α mRNA on reticulocyte polysomes of rabbits, mice, and sheep. Our data also illustrate the potential for errors in studies in which only poly(A)+ RNA is assayed.",

author = "Phillips, {J. A.} and Snyder, {P. G.} and Kazazian, {H. H.}",

year = "1977",

doi = "10.1038/269442a0",

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AU - Phillips, J. A.

AU - Snyder, P. G.

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N2 - THE genomes of several mammalian species contain at least two α globin loci and a single β globin locus so that the ratio of α- to β-globin genes is 2 : 1 or more1-3. Despite this difference in number of genes, reticulocytes from these species synthesise equal numbers of α- and β-globin chains indicating that compensatory regulation must occur. Cytoplasmic mRNA is an intermediate between the gene and globin protein, and it has been suggested that the cellular α/β mRNA ratio is an important factor in achieving balanced globin synthesis4-6. We report here an excess of 30% α mRNA on reticulocyte polysomes of rabbits, mice, and sheep. Our data also illustrate the potential for errors in studies in which only poly(A)+ RNA is assayed.

AB - THE genomes of several mammalian species contain at least two α globin loci and a single β globin locus so that the ratio of α- to β-globin genes is 2 : 1 or more1-3. Despite this difference in number of genes, reticulocytes from these species synthesise equal numbers of α- and β-globin chains indicating that compensatory regulation must occur. Cytoplasmic mRNA is an intermediate between the gene and globin protein, and it has been suggested that the cellular α/β mRNA ratio is an important factor in achieving balanced globin synthesis4-6. We report here an excess of 30% α mRNA on reticulocyte polysomes of rabbits, mice, and sheep. Our data also illustrate the potential for errors in studies in which only poly(A)+ RNA is assayed.

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Ratios of α-to β-globin mRNA and regulation of globin synthesis in reticulocytes

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