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.
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.
De Rosa
Maria Cristina
MC
Institute of Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry and C.N.R. Institute of Chemistry of Molecular Recognition, Catholic University of Rome, 00168 Rome, Italy.
Carelli Alinovi
Cristiana
C
Galtieri
Antonio
A
Scatena
Roberto
R
Giardina
Bruno
B
D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D006418:Heme / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D006454:Hemoglobins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D006418:Heme; D007501:Iron; D010100:Oxygen