The plasma membrane of erythrocytes plays a fundamental role in the transport of oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitric oxide and in the maintenance of the reduced state of the heme iron

Maria Cristina De Rosa; Cristiana Carelli Alinovi; Antonio Galtieri; Roberto Scatena; Bruno Giardina

doi:10.1016/j.gene.2007.02.048

The plasma membrane of erythrocytes plays a fundamental role in the transport of oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitric oxide and in the maintenance of the reduced state of the heme iron

Gene. 2007 Aug 15;398(1-2):162-71. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2007.02.048. Epub 2007 May 6.

Authors

Maria Cristina De Rosa¹, Cristiana Carelli Alinovi, Antonio Galtieri, Roberto Scatena, Bruno Giardina

Affiliation

¹ Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry and C.N.R. Institute of Chemistry of Molecular Recognition, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy.

PMID: 17573207
DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2007.02.048

Abstract

Here we review new insights into the role of the erythrocyte membrane and the implications of its architecture on the several functions accomplished by the red blood cells. The picture which emerges highlights the capability of Hb and band 3 to modulate erythrocyte metabolism and to meet the needs of the cell.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Biological Transport
Carbon Dioxide / metabolism*
Carbon Dioxide / pharmacokinetics
Erythrocyte Membrane / metabolism*
Heme / chemistry
Heme / metabolism
Hemoglobins / chemistry
Hemoglobins / metabolism*
Humans
Iron / chemistry
Iron / metabolism
Membrane Transport Proteins / chemistry
Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism
Membrane Transport Proteins / physiology*
Models, Biological
Nitric Oxide / metabolism*
Nitric Oxide / pharmacokinetics
Oxygen / metabolism*
Oxygen / pharmacokinetics

Substances

Hemoglobins
Membrane Transport Proteins
Carbon Dioxide
Nitric Oxide
Heme
Iron
Oxygen