Inhibition of transcription and translation of globin messenger RNA in dimethyl sulfoxide-stimulated Friend erythroleukemic cells treated with interferon.

Abstract

The addition of appropriate doses of interferon (IF) to cultures of Friend [mouse] erythroleukemic cells inhibits dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO)-stimulated erythroid differentiation. In this study, the synthesis of heme, Hb and globin mRNA in Me2SO[dimethylsulfoxide]-stimulated cultures, with or without IF added, was compared. Although the Hb content in Me2SO + IF treated cultures was reduced 6- to 9-fold compared to that of cultures treated with Me2SO alone, there was less than a 2-fold decrease in the amount of heme accumulated. Globin mRNA, although unchanged in size or base sequence, was reduced in content in the Me2SO+IF cultures. The level of reduction of globin mRNA was insufficient to account for the lack of globin synthesis. It appears that IF may operate on 2 levels 1 involving the transcription of globin mRNA and the other involving translation.