- Formation of Hemoglobin is a complex, iron-containing protein in red blood cells (RBCs) that binds and transports oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body.
- Hemoglobin consists of four protein subunits, each containing a heme group with an iron atom at its center.
Steps in Hemoglobin Formation
Synthesis of Globin Chains
- Hemoglobin in adults (HbA) comprises two alpha (α) chains and two beta (β) chains.
- The α-globin chains are encoded by genes on chromosome 16, while β-globin chains are encoded on chromosome 11.
- These chains are synthesized in the ribosomes of developing red blood cells in the bone marrow.
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Synthesis of Heme
- Heme is an organic molecule essential for oxygen binding, with an iron atom at its center.
- Heme synthesis occurs in the mitochondria and cytoplasm of immature red blood cells.
- The process begins with the condensation of succinyl-CoA and glycine to form δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in the mitochondria, followed by a series of transformations in the cytoplasm, leading to the formation of the porphyrin ring and the insertion of an iron atom to complete the heme molecule.
Assembly of Hemoglobin
- The synthesized globin chains bind to the heme groups, forming hemoglobin subunits.
- Two α-globin subunits associate with two β-globin subunits, creating the functional hemoglobin molecule (α2β2).
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Maturation of Red Blood Cells
- As red blood cells mature in the bone marrow, they accumulate hemoglobin, lose their nucleus and organelles, and adopt a biconcave shape.
- Mature red blood cells, filled with hemoglobin, are then released into the bloodstream to transport oxygen to tissues and organs.
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