Stimulation of hemoglobin synthesis in murine erythro-leukemia cells by low molecular weight ketones, aldehydes, acids, alcohols and ethers.

The effects of short chain (C1-C5) aldehydes, ketones, acids alcohols and ethers on murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells were examined to determine which particular chemical moieties and some of their combinations stimulated hemoglobin synthesis in these cells. The C4 series of compounds was active at lower concentrations than homologs of shorter chain lengths. Within an homologous series the potency and efficacy of the alcohol was always less then that of the acid and aldehyde compounds. Though hepanoic acid was found to be an inducer of hemoglobin synthesis in MEL cells, the 4,6-dioxoheptanoic acid analog is a potent inhibitor of hemoglobin synthesis. Analysis of porphyrin content of MEL cells incubated with the inducers 2-butanone, 2-methoxyethanol, acetone and methanol, showed that increased hemoglobin synthesis was always accompanied by the accumulation of porphyrins, most of which was protoporphyrin. These studies suggest that low molecular ketones, aldehydes, acids, ethers and alcohol can correct the defect in erythroid differentiation exhibited by MEL cells and they further suggest that the physiological trigger for inducing hemoglobin synthesis in these cells is less discriminating than previously recognized.