[Expression of transferrin receptor and ferrochelatase mRNAs in MEL cells].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the changes of transferrin receptor (TfR) mRNA and ferrochelatase mRNA levels under different iron status of DMSO induced or non-induced MEL cells.

METHODS

MEL cells were induced with 1.5% DMSO. TfR mRNA and ferrochelatase mRNA were assayed by Northern blot after adding transferrin, deferrioxamine, anti-TfR monoclonal antibody (McAb) or Epo, respectively.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

1. TfR mRNA level increased with cell proliferation in non-induced MEL cells, while in the induced MEL cells, although the proliferating capacity was losing with cell maturation, TfR mRNA level increased with hemoglobin synthesis and its amplitude was higher than that in non-induced cells. 2. In both non-induced and induced MEL cells, TfR mRNA levels increased when intracellular iron level decreased; and vice versa. 3. Stimulation of erythropoiesis by Epo increased the expression of TfR mRNA, indicating that its expression in erythroid cells was regulated by the level of intracellular iron and the synthesis of heme. 4. The expression of ferrochelatase mRNA had no change in non-induced MEL cells, but increased significantly in induced MEL cells. 5. The level of intracellular iron in non-induced and induced MEL cells had less effects on the expression of ferrochelatase mRNA.