6 - Erythrocyte & Heme Biochemistry Flashcards
Majority of Hb synthesized before extrusion of nucleus from the normoblast to become a…
Reticulocyte
***Small amount made in reticulocyte
Describe the structure of adult Hb.
2 alpha-globin chains
2 beta-globin chains
1 Heme per subunit (chain)
Heme has an ________ atom and it carries O2. It is hydrophobic.
Iron (Ferrous: Fe2+)
There is a conformational change in Hb upon oxygen binding. The iron ion lies slightly outside the plane of porphyrin in heme. Upon oxygen binding, it moves into the plane of the heme. This 0.4 A change pulls down the proximal _________ of Hb and changes interaction with associated globin chain.
Histidine
What are the two types of curves for myoglobin and hemoglobin?
Hyperbolic curve = Myoglobin
Sigmoidal curve = Hemoglobin
Hb binds O2 in a __________ manner. The binding of one molecule of O2 to one heme facilitates the binding of an O2 to another heme.
Cooperative
The pH of actively respiring tissues is lower, it drops from 7.4 to 7.2. As pH decreases, binding affinity of Hb for O2 decreases. _________ picks up H+ from tissue. This changes conformation of Hb in a way that favors release of O2.
Histidine
This shifts the Oxygen Dissociation Curve to the right because it reduces the O2 affinity so Hb gives up more O2 to tissues. It provides a signal to Hb to let go of O2.
2,3-BPG
The drop in pO2 from _______ to ______ torr in exercising tissues corresponds to the steepest part of the Oxygen-binding curve. Consequently, Hb is very effective in providing Oxygen to exercising tissues.
40
20
The fetus needs Hb that has higher affinity for O2 than maternal Hb. O2 flows from mother to fetus. HbF does not bind well to _________, therefore it has a higher affinity for O2.
2,3-BPG
What is fetal and maternal Hb?
Fetal = HbF (2 alpha, 2 gamma) Maternal = HbA (2 alpha, 2 beta)
***The HbF has a left shift on the ODC because it has a higher affinity for oxygen!
Sickle cell anemia is due to a mutation in the Hemoglobin (HbS). There is a mutation at amino acid position 6 in Beta-globin. ________ ________ (negatively charged) changes to _________ (hydrophobic). This causes polymerization of Hemoglobin.
Glutamic Acid
Valine
Sickle shaped RBCs will impede circulation and cause hemolytic anemia. It can cause pain, organ damage, stroke, increased infections, etc. Research is ongoing to induce expression of HbF as a cure. Currently using __________ to induce HbF. It works but causes inflammation and is a toxic chemotherapeutic agent.
Hydroxyurea
Iron readily exchanges electrons, which makes it an ideal catalyst for oxidation-reduction reactions. Exists in Fe2+ (ferrous) or Fe3+ (ferric) state. Plays a role in ________ transport (is a component of Hemoglobin and Myoglobin).
Oxygen
Total body iron is about 3-5 g, most of it is in _______ (about 2.7 g). The average American male ingests 10-20 mg iron daily. We need _______ each day to support Hb production.
RBCs
25 mg
Too much _______ can promote cellular damage if not regulated by protein binding.
Iron
What is the distribution of iron in humans?
Hemoglobin = 67%
Myoglobin = 5%
Fe-Containing Proteins = 1%
Stored Iron = 27%
What are the Fe-Containing proteins in humans?
Cytochromes
Iron-sulfur Clusters
Enzymes using non-heme iron
Stored iron is in cells that line the intestines, liver, spleen, and bone marrow. The storage proteins are…
Ferritin – A protein that binds to ferric iron
Hemosiderin – Product of Ferritin breakdown
Heme iron (Fe2+ - from animal products) is easily absorbable. It enters the enterocyte, oxidized to Fe3+ by ___________, aka ___________.
Ferroxidase
Cerruloplasmin
The Fe3+ (from animal products) is stored in the form of ________ and its degradation product ________.
Ferritin
Hemosiderin
Non-Heme iron (Fe3+ - from plant products) is difficult to absorb. It is converted to Fe2+ by Ferric Reductase aka ________ in the presence of Vitamin C.
Dcytb (Duodenal Cyctochrome-Like B protein)
Fe2+ enters the enterocyte (from plant products) via _________ _________. After this, it is either converted to Fe3+ by __________ for storage or exported out of enterocyte by __________.
DMT1 (Divalent Transporter-1)
Ferroxidase (aka Cerruloplasmin)
Ferroportin
Ferroportin (exports Fe2+ out of enterocyte) requires ________ for its function. Ferroportin levels are regulated by ________.
Hephaestin
Hepcidin
Once in blood, Fe2+ is converted to Fe3+ by _________. Fe3+ gets bound to _________ for transport to target tissues.
Ferroxidase
Transferrin
Uptake of Transferrin occurs by receptor-mediated endocytosis via ________ ________. Once bound, it is internalized via clathrin-coated pits into endosomes. The low ______ of endosome releases Transferrin from its receptor.
Transferrin Receptor (TfR) pH
The uptake of iron in the __________ (where Heme is made) is very efficient. The endosome transiently docks on it and transfers iron directly via ________.
Mitochondria
DMT1
Iron content in body is regulated by modulating its absorption by the peptide hormone _________.
Hepcidin
Hepcidin is a 25 amino acid peptide made by the liver. It exerts its regulatory effect by binding to _________. The binding of Hepcidin to _________ causes its internalization and its subsequent degradation in lysosomes.
Ferroportin
Ferroportin
Levels of Hepcidin are controlled by a complex signaling pathway involving the protein Transferrin, its receptor and a protein called _______.
HFE (Human Homeostatic Iron Regulator Protein)
When iron is (HIGH/LOW) – Hepcidin expression is up, Ferroportin levels are down, and Iron absorption is low.
High
When iron is (HIGH/LOW) – Hepcidin expression is down, Ferroportin levels are up, and Iron absorption is high.
Low
If iron absorption is low, then there is Fe…
Deficiency
If iron absorption is high, then there is Fe…
Overloading
Iron deficiency can cause _________ _________ _________, and the treatment is dietary iron supplementation.
Hypochromic Microcytic Anemia
This is the increased absorption of iron which then accumulates in the heart, liver, and pancreas. It causes liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, diabetes, arthritis, and heart failure.
Hereditary Hemochromatosis (HH or Iron Overload)
Classical HH is autosomal recessive and is caused by mutations in the ________ protein. It causes a dysregulation of iron uptake and export by enterocytes (increased absorption). Treatment is blood letting and iron chelators.
HFE
***Remember HFE is important for Hepcidin, which is what causes the internalization of Ferroportin. Ferroportin is the transporter of iron out to the tissues.
What are the iron levels for HH?
15 g
***Normal is 3 to 5 g!
RBC production is dependent on ________ and ________. Deficiency of these can cause a severe anemia called Megaloblastic Anemia. This occurs due to diminished synthesis of _______ in developing RBC in bone marrow. Continual _______ synthesis is required for production of erythroblasts.
Folate (Folic Acid)
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
DNA
DNA