Variable globin chain synthesis in mouse erythroleukemia cells

Various mouse erythroleukemia cell lines show unique responses to chemical inducers. Lines 745 and 707, from DBA/2 mice, produced 25%-- 48% beta-minor and 78%--52% beta-major globin following culture with DMSO. Butyric acid treatment led to approximately 40% beta-minor globin, while induction with hemin resulted in over 80% beta-minor synthesis. Line FSD was developed independently. DMSO induction led to less than 10% beta-minor globin, while hemin and butyric acid both resulted in approximately 40% beta-minor synthesis. T3C12 and 5000 originated in DDD mice. With these lines all inducers led to only beta- major and no beta-minor synthesis. The inducers did not influence protein stability or initiation of globin synthesis. Translation of poly A-containing cytoplasmic RNA in a wheat germ cell-free system led to proportions of beta-minor that were the same as those seen in the intact cells. Thus regulation of the type of globin chain produced in erythroleukemia cells following culture with several inducing agents occurs at either the level of gene transcription or posttranslational processing, or by growth of a selected cell population.