The Effect of Sodium Cyanate on Globin Synthesis

The incubation of peripheral blood with sodium cyanate produced dose-related suppression of hemoglobin synthesis. Addition of 5 mM sodium cyanate reduced globin synthesis in the peripheral blood of a patient with sickle cell disease by 34%, while 25 mM cyanate reduced synthesis by 92%. The relative synthesis of α- and β-chains remained constant despite the reduction of total synthesis. The effects were also found in peripheral blood and bone marrow of patients without hemoglobinopathies. The results suggest that further studies of the effect of cyanate on protein synthesis are necessary before widespread use of the drug in sickle cell disease.