title: The role of hemoglobin denaturation and band 3 clustering in red blood cell aging.
abstract: As hemoglobin begins to denature, it forms hemichromes that cross-link the major erythrocyte membrane-spanning protein, band 3, into clusters. These clusters provide the recognition site for antibodies directed against senescent cells. These antibodies bind to the aged red cell and trigger its removal from circulation.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Low
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Waugh
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zinke
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Drenckhahn
mesh_terms: D001457:Anion Exchange Protein 1, Erythrocyte / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000939:Epitopes; D004905:Erythrocyte Aging; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D010659:Phenylhydrazines / Q000494:pharmacology; D011489:Protein Denaturation
chemical_list: D001457:Anion Exchange Protein 1, Erythrocyte; D000939:Epitopes; D006454:Hemoglobins; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D010659:Phenylhydrazines; C030299:phenylhydrazine