BIOL 221 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Beta Thalassemia, Fetal Hemoglobin, Porphyria

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Fetal hemoglobin (hbf: 2 alpha, 2 gamma chains, hydroxyurea. Fetal hemoglobin (hbf) has a structure that is slightly different from that of adult hemoglobin. In addition to the two alpha chains found in adult hemoglobin fetal hemoglobin has two gamma chains instead of two beta chains. This gives fetal hemoglobin a higher affinity for oxygen (i. e. , it binds oxygen more strongly than adult hemoglobin and has a higher saturation at any given partial pressure of oxygen). This is important because makes it easier for fetal hemoglobin to pick up oxygen during exchange at the placenta. Hydroxyurea can stimulate production of hbf in adults. This is useful in treating sickle-cell anemia in which there is a mutation that affects the beta chains of hemoglobin. Disorders related to hemoglobin synthesis include porphyria and the genetic anemias thalassemia and sickle-cell anemia. The latter two are more common in areas where malaria infection rates have traditionally been high.

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