Induction of globin mRNA accumulation by hemin in cultured erythroleukemic cells.

The role of heme in erythroid development is investigated in erythroleukemic (Friend) cells. Exogenous hemin induces the accumulation of globin mRNA and globin protein in T3-C12 erythroleukemia cells to levels comparable to those induced by polar solvents, such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The hemin concentration required for maximal induction (10(-4) M) is the same as that which stimulates globin message translation in reticulocytes or cell-free reticulocyte lysates. Hemin and DMSO together cause T3-C12 cells to accumulate 8-9 fold more globin mRNA than either inducer individually. The kinetics of globin mRNA induction in hemin as compared to DMSO are very different: globin message accumulation begins 4 hr after hemin addition, but not until 30--40 hr after DMSO addition. Biliverdin induces 20--40 fold less hemoglobin than hemin; delta-aminolevulinic acid and porphobilinogen do not induce.