Specific globin mRNAs in human erythroleukemia (K562) cells

Specific globin mRNA accumulation was quantitated in several lines of K562 cells in the absence and the presence of hemin. Using specific cloned DNA probes, the amounts of ζ, α, ε and γ mRNAs were shown to be increased 2-3-fold in the presence of 20 μM hemin. No δ- or β-globin mRNAs were detectable in any of the lines. In one line, Bos, there was a marked decrease in ε-globin mRNA, which increased with hemin, although still to much lower levels than in the other lines. The decreased ε-globin mRNA accumulation in Bos is shown to be due to decreased ε-globin gene transcription.