Heterozygous Beta Thalassemia: Balanced Globin Synthesis in Bone Marrow Cells

Abstract

In two patients with heterozygous beta thalassemia the rates of synthesis of the alpha and beta chains of hemoglobin were equal in nucleated red cell precursors, although beta chain synthesis was reduced in peripheral blood reticulocytes. This finding suggests a relative instability of beta chain messenger RNA in beta thalassemia.