The stimulation of globin synthesis by cobalt in reticulocytes with inhibited heme synthesis

Abstract

Cobalt was found to stimulate globin synthesis in reticulocytes the heme synthesis of which was inhibited by isonicotinic acid hydrazide or 4,6-dioxoheptanoic acid (succinyl acetone). These results suggest that in reticulocytes cobalt does not stimulate globin synthesis through the formation of cobalt protoporphyrin. They do, how-ver, support the hypothesis that cobalt causes the formation of a pool of free heme from preformed hemoglobin which stimulates the synthesis of new globin chains.