Hemoglobin Mu (HBm)

Cloning and sequencing of that transcript, named hemoglobin (Hb) mu (HBM), revealed an insert with a 423-nucleotide open reading frame. The predicted protein demonstrated a high level of homology with the avian alpha-D globin. In addition, the heme- and globin-binding amino acids of mu-globin and avian alpha-D globin were largely conserved.

Using quantitative real-time PCR, mu-globin was detected at a level of approximately 0.1% of that measured for alpha-globin in erythroid tissues. Erythroid-specific expression was detected by Northern blot analysis, and maximal expression during the erythroblast terminal differentiation was also detected. Despite this highly regulated pattern of mu-globin gene transcription, mu-globin protein was not detected by mass spectrometry.