The synthesis of heme and globin in the maturing human erythroid cell.

This report describes observations on the rate of heme and globin synthesis within the maturation period of human marrow erythroid cells. Such studies have been designed to examine the hypothesis that heme and globin are synthesized with temporal independence during erythroid cell maturation and to establish the normal relationship of heme and globin synthesis. With such data it is hoped that further work may lead to a definition of some of the effects of certain hormones and drugs upon heme and globin synthesis and to closer examination of certain refractory anemias with particular emphasis on abnormalities of globin synthesis. The rates of synthesis of heme and globin within the erythroid cell maturation period are defined in these studies by the daily incremental incorporation of glycine-2-C14 into peripheral blood hemin and globin and of Fe59 into red cells following intravenous administration of these precursors to four healthy male volunteers.