Sickle cell anemia

Question

In sickle cell anemia, a genetic disease, there is replacement of one amino acid by other in one of the four polypeptide chains of hemoglobin. In this situation are all structural levels of the protein altered?

Answer 1

In sickle cell disease there is a modify in the primary protein structure of one of the polypeptide chains which form hemoglobin: the amino acid glutamic acid is replaced by the amino acid valine in the β chain. Spatial conformation of the molecule in adding up is as well affected and altered by this primary “mistake” and the modification as well makes a distinct (sickle) shape to the red blood cells.

Modified, sickled, red blood cells at times aggregate and hinder the peripheral circulation causing tissue hypoxia and the pain crisis usual of sickle cell anemia.