The α to β globin chain ratio has been determined in the peripheral red cells of 11 patients with iron deficiency anemia. The mean ratio was found to be 0.74 ± 0.07, which is significantly lower than the ratio of 0.97 ± 0.07 obtained in normals. When the stroma-free hemolysates were purified prior to globin preparation the α to β ratio did not change. On the other hand, globin extracted from whole iron-deficient cells, including the stroma, had a higher α to β ratio, 0.88 ± 0.04, but still significantly lower than normal. These results suggest that in iron deficiency there is a decrease in α-chain synthesis relative to β-chain and that there are membrane-bound globin chains, but no excessive increase in the free α-chain pool. Similar findings have been reported previously in other states of heme deficiency like sideroblastic anemia and lead poisoning.

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Vincristine in a concentration of 0.5 and 4 x 1 W M causes a decrease of 16 % and 7 3 % respectively, in the synthesis of globin by peripheral blood reticulocytes. At the higher drug concentration the OJP ratio is significantly lower than the normal ratio of unity and is 0.83 ? 0.09. These effects of vincristine are probably related to the ability of the vinca alkaloids to bind to ribosomes and their subunits. K e y words: haemoglobin synthesisvincristine