RBC Metabolism Flashcards
3 areas crucial for RBC metabolism crucial for normal survival and function
- RBC membrane
- Hemoglobin structure and function
- RBC metabolic pathways
2 major proteins of the RBC membrane
- Glycophorin
2. Spectrin
Proteins that extend from outer surface through lipid bilayer of cell membrane
Integral protein
Proteins that line the inner membrane surface to form the membrane cytoskeleton
Peripheral protein
Glycophorin
- Integral or peripheral protein?
Integral
Spectrin
- Integral or peripheral protein?
Peripheral
Major functionof glycophorin
Accounts for most of membrane sialic acid and gives RBC its negative charge (zeta potential); location of many RBC Ags
Major function of spectrin
Strengthens RBC membrane (shape and stability) and preserves deformability (pliability)
Acanthocyte
- Structural membrane defect
Lack of beta lipid protein
Bite cell (schistocyte) - Structural membrane defect
↓ spectrin (not as pliable, sluggishly travel through splenic cords); RE cells try to phagocytize them
Spherocytes
- Structural membrane defect
↓ spectrin (not as pliable, sluggishly travel through splenic cords); RE cells try to phagocytize them
Target cells
Accumulation of cholesterol in membrane
↑ surface area → ↓ intracellular hemoglobin → target cells)
Protein carrier that delivers iron to RBC membrane for hemoglobin synthesis
Transferrin
2 major tissues in the body where heme synthesis occurs
- Erythroid marrow (nRBCs)
2. Liver
Diagram sequence leading to heme synthesis beginning w/ succinyl coenzyme A + glycine and ending w/ heme
- Glycine & succinyl CoA
- ALA
- Porphobilinogen (PBG)
- Uroporphyrinogen
- Coproporphrinogen
- Protophorphyrinogen + Fe = protoporphyrin…to form heme
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3 processes necessary for normal hemoglobin production
- Adequate iron delivery and supply
- Adequate synthesis or portoporphyrins (precursor to heme)
- Adequate globin synthesis
Overview of hemoglobin biosynthesis (nRBCs)
- Begins in mitochondria of cell
- Intermediate steps in cytosol
- Process completed in mitochondria w/ insertion of iron into protophorphyrin ring to produce heme
aka heme
Porphyrin
Describe the chemical structure of heme
- Molecule made up of 4 pyrrole rings
- Arrangement of 4 nitrogen atoms in center enables porphyrins to chelate metal atoms (like iron)
Why does a patient w/ lead poisoning present “ringed sideroblasts”?
- Lead blocks incorporation of iron into heme molecule
- Mitochondrial buildup of iron causes “ringed sideroblasts” → M/H anemia
Why is freshly voided urine from a porphyria patient not red in color?
It isn’t oxidized (will initially be yellow); 1 hour later will be burgundy
Porphyrinogen
- Precursor to ____
- Colorless, non-fluorescence, highly ____
- Quickly and ____ oxidizes to ____
Porphyrin; unstable; irreversibly; porphyrin
Porphyrin
- Stable?
- Fluorescent?
- Color?
Yes, it’s stable
Yes, it’s fluroescent
Color is pinkish-red (“port wine”) in color
Disorder of heme synthesis
Porphyria
How can someone develop porphyria?
- May be inherited or acquired
- Acquired via lead poisoning or liver disease
Where does the abnormal accumulation of prophyrins or porphyrin precursors occur?
- Erythroid marrow
- Liver