Hemoglobin Synthesis and Catabolism Flashcards
composition of hemoglobin
*2 alpha chains
*2 beta chains
*4 heme molecules:
-protoporphyrin IX attach to ferrous iron (Fe2+)
note - 1 heme group per chain; each heme combines reversibly with one molecule of oxygen
globin chains - overview
*2 pairs of polypeptide chains (4 total)
*each chain has ~140 amino acids
*alterations in the amino acid sequences results in different globin chains
hemoglobin formation - overview
- genes for globin chains get transcribed into mRNA
- mRNA gets translated to a globin polypeptide chain and released into cytoplasm from the ribosomes
- each globin chain binds with a heme molecule
- heterodimers are formed between an alpha chain and a non-alpha chain
- 2 heterodimers combine to form tetramers -> hemoglobin
Hb affinity for oxygen at low pO2
at LOW oxygen tension, Hb has a LOW affinity for oxygen (more likely to release its oxygen to the tissues)
Hb affinity for oxygen at high pO2
at HIGH oxygen tension, Hb has a HIGH affinity for oxygen (less likely to release bound O2)
how does low pH affect hemoglobin’s affinity for oxygen
low pH (acidic environment) shifts the curve to the RIGHT [allosteric INHIBITION of binding oxygen by H+; DECREASED affinity for O2; Hb RELEASES the O2]
how does 2,3 BPG affect hemoglobin’s affinity for oxygen
increased 2,3 BPG shifts the curve to the RIGHT [DECREASED affinity for O2; Hb RELEASES the O2]
how does fever impact the hemoglobin curve
shifts curve to the RIGHT [DECREASED affinity for O2; Hb RELEASES the O2]
how does acidosis impact the hemoglobin curve
shifts curve to the RIGHT [DECREASED affinity for O2; Hb RELEASES the O2]
hemoglobin F - overview
*composed of 2 alpha chains and 2 gamma chains (α2γ2)
*has INCREASED OXYGEN AFFINITY (lelft shift) compared to Hb A [how fetus extracts oxygen from maternal circulation]
*Hb F doesn’t release oxygen as easily as Hb A so fetus needs more Hb to adequately oxygenate tissues (hence, why newborns have higher Hb values)
RBC metabolism - overview
*known as Embden-Meyerhof pathway or anaerobic glycolytic pathway:
- glucose enters RBC through facilitated membrane transport system
- glucose gets metabolized to lactic acid via glycolysis: uses 2 ATP and generates 4 ATP for NET GAIN OF 2 ATP
- GENERATES 2,3-BPG
- methemoglobin (Fe3+) is reduced to hemoglobin (Fe2+)
- via the hexose monophosphate shunt, G6PD PROTECTS RBCs FROM OXIDATIVE DAMAGE
how does G6PD deficiency lead to hemolytic anemia
no G6PD -> decreased NADPH -> oxidative damage to Hb -> denatured proteins -> increased cell death aka HEMOLYSIS
examples of intracorpuscular defects as causes of hemolysis
*problems with hemoglobin, cell membrane, or Embden-Meyerhof Pathway:
- red cell membrane disorders:
-hereditary spherocytosis
-hereditary elliptocytosis - red cell enzyme disorders:
-G6PD deficiency
-pyruvate kinase deficiency - hemoglobin disorders:
-unstable hemoglobins
-methemoglobinemia
-thalassemia
-sickle cell disease
examples of extracorpuscular defects as causes of hemolysis
*antibodies to RBC membrane components
*sludging, entrapment, and destruction of RBCs in an enlarged spleen
*trauma due to high velocity jets (poorly functioning prosthetic valves, fibrin strands in DIC, etc)
*exposure to chemicals
*infectious destruction of RBCs
intravascular hemolysis
*destruction of RBCs WITHIN the vascular space
examples:
-shear stress due to defective mechanical heart valves
-lysis from bacterial toxins
-direct trauma
-osmotic lysis due to hypotonic solutions
-complement-induced lysis