G gamma and a gamma globin chain synthesis in bone marrow and peripheral blood of beta-thalassaemia homozygotes.

G gamma, A gamma and beta globin chain synthesis has been investigated in the peripheral blood and bone marrow from eight beta-thalassaemia homozygotes. In five out of eight cases total gamma chain synthesis was higher in the peripheral blood than in the bone marrow; in seven out of eight cases A gamma chain synthesis was markedly higher in the marrow than in the peripheral blood. These data suggest that ineffective erythropoiesis selects F-cells synthesizing the largest amounts of G gamma chains, while A gamma producing cells are preferentially destroyed in the marrow.