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Synthesis of Haemoglobins specified by Allelic Genes in Human Heterozygotes

Nature New Biology volume 229, pages 143–145 (1971)Cite this article

Abstract

THE differential expression of genes in higher animals is revealed by comparison of cells from different tissues; of different genetic loci within the same cell, and of products of allelic genes at the same locus. All these differences are manifested in human erythroid cells, for example: (a) erythroid cells, compared with cells from other tissues, synthesize mostly haemoglobin (Hb) A; (b) they synthesize Hb A at a much greater rate than Hb F and Hb A2 (all closely related proteins but different genetic loci are involved in their synthesis); (c) in heterozygous subjects they almost always synthesize more Hb A than abnormal haemoglobin, such as S or C1–3. The range of possible mechanisms underlying these various categories of differential gene expression is widest for (a) and narrowest for (c)4. Specifically, the greater amount of Hb A in A/S (or A/C) heterozygotes could be due to: (1) a different number of copies of the corresponding genes; (2) a different rate of transcription; (3) a different stability of the corresponding mRNA species5–7; (4) a different rate of translation. We have tested the third possibility.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Haematology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

    G. J. FOLAYAN ESAN, T. ADEWALE ADESINA & LUCIO LUZZATTO

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  1. G. J. FOLAYAN ESAN
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  2. T. ADEWALE ADESINA
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  3. LUCIO LUZZATTO
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ESAN, G., ADESINA, T. & LUZZATTO, L. Synthesis of Haemoglobins specified by Allelic Genes in Human Heterozygotes. Nature New Biology 229, 143–145 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1038/newbio229143a0

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