Erythrocyte Biochemistry Flashcards
What is erythropoiesis?
The development of an erythrocyte from stem cell.
What is the name of the stem cell that develops into an erythrocyte and what is the committed cell called?
A hemocytoblast that develops into a proerythroblast
What is the developmental pathway for erythrocyst?
The cell develops a large amount of ribosomes then begins mass synthesis of hemoglobin. The cell then begins to lose its nucleus and organelles before leaving the bone marrow.
What is the structure of hemoglobin?
a multi-subunit protein that consist of two alpha globin chains and two beta globin chains. There is also one heme group per globin that contains a ferrous atom.
What are the embryonic forms of hemoglobin? (3)
Hb Gower 1- Two theta and 2 sigma
Hb Gower 2- two alpha and two sigma
Hb Portland- two theta and two gamma
What is the fetal structure of hemoglobin?
Hb F- two alpha and two gamma
What are the two adult forms of hemoglobin?
Hb A- 2 alpha and two beta
Hb A2- two alpha and two delta
What chromosomes are the hemoglobin chains found on?
16 and 11
What is the AA change in sickle cell anemia?
Hbs- AA change to the 6th position on beta globin- a glutamic acid for valine
What are some therapies being researched to help with sickle cell anemia?
Trying to induce expression of HbF in sickle cell patients by using hydroxyurea. This is a toxic agent
What is the proximal histidine?
F8 histidine- binds to the heme
What is the distal histidine?
E7 histidine that binds to the O2 on the heme group, stabilizing it
What does the binding of histidine to O2 do to hemoglobin?
It induces a confirmational change that pulls down the proximal histidine. This will alter confirmation to the other globin units as well
What kind of oxygen dissociation curve does myoglobin have?
it has a hyperbolic curve
What kind of oxygen dissociation curve does hemoglobin have?
It has a sigmoidal curve due to the interactions of the globin subunits
What is positive cooperativity in hemoglobin?
When O2 binds to one globin, it induces a confirmation change and makes it more likely that the other subunits will bind to O2. This is true in the reverse. Release of one O2 molecule induces release of other O2.
What are the three factors that modifies the oxygen dissociation curve?
pH- lower pH, lower affinity for O2 in hemoglobin
2,3-BPG- higher levels will lower the affinity of O2 in hemoglobin
Exercise- an increase in exercising tissues will lower the affinity of O2 to hemoglobin