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Hypothetical Significance of Disturbances of Zinc and Protoporphyrin Metabolism in Leukaemic Cells

Nature volume 209, pages 411–412 (1966)Cite this article

Abstract

ELSEWHERE1,2 I have demonstrated a significant decrease in the zinc content of bone marrow and blood granulocytes in patients with acute and chronic myelocytic leukaemias, plasmocytoma and Hodgkin's disease, and in various patients with malignant neoplasms. Vallee and Hoch3 isolated a zinc-protein containing about 0.3 per cent zinc from normal granulocytes. This protein contains almost all the water-soluble zinc in the granulocytes3. In their opinion, this protein is an enzyme of unknown specificity. It is conceivable that the amount of this zinc-protein in granulocytes is decreased in leukaemic states. The results of Gordon4, Saillen5, Vanotti6 and Walters7, on the disturbances in haem and protoporphyrin synthesis in leukaemic cells, are also of interest. Free protoporphyrin can be demonstrated in these cells, but it cannot be shown in normal granulocytes. This means that the synthesis of an unknown protein with a protoporphyrin prosthetic group is inhibited in leukaemic cells.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Haematology, State Institute of Haematology, 5 Chocimska Street, Warsaw

    STANISLAW SZMIGIELSKI

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  1. STANISLAW SZMIGIELSKI
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SZMIGIELSKI, S. Hypothetical Significance of Disturbances of Zinc and Protoporphyrin Metabolism in Leukaemic Cells. Nature 209, 411–412 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1038/209411b0

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