Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 29, 2026

Measurement of Heme Synthesis Levels in Mammalian Cells
Published on: July 9, 2015
Different types of glutathionylation of hemoglobin can exist in intact erythrocytes
Shiro Mawatari1, Kaori Murakami
1Department of Nutrition and Health Science, Faculty of Human Environmental Science, Fukouka Women's University, 1-1-1 Kasumigaoka, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 813-8529, Japan. s-mawatari@fwu.ac.jp
Abstract:
Glutathionylation of hemoglobin (Hb) was studied by incubation of intact human erythrocytes with 1 mM tert-butylhydroperoxide (tBHP). Electrophoresis of the membranes showed a time dependent increase of membrane-bound Hb alpha chain until 10 min, and immunoblotting study showed that membrane-bound Hb alpha chain reacted with anti-glutathione antibody only after 10 min. Concomitant with the Hb alpha chain, membrane associated actin, spectrin, and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase reacted with the antibody. Cytosolic Hb of the control erythrocytes reacted with anti-glutathione antibody. Together with our previous paper, the present study indicates that at least three different types of glutathionylation of Hb can exist in erythrocytes. The first type is a mixed disulfide bond between reduced glutathione (GSH) and normal Hb. The second type is a disulfide bond between the cysteine 93 of metHb beta chain and oxidized glutathione (GSSG), and the third type is a disulfide bond between the other cysteine residues of metHb alpha chain and/or metHb beta chain and GSSG.
Related Concept Videos
Hemoglobin
When all four heme groups are bound to oxygen, the resulting molecule is called oxyhemoglobin. As a result, arterial blood...
Lifecycle of Erythrocytes
The resident phagocytic macrophages deal with these damaged cells by engulfing them and separating their globin and heme groups.
Phase II Reactions: Glutathione Conjugation and Mercapturic Acid Formation
Several distinctive characteristics distinguish glutathione conjugation from other phase II...
Disorders of Erythrocytes
Erythrocyte disorders can be broadly categorized into two main types: anemic and polycythemic conditions.
A low oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood due to the loss, lower production, or destruction of erythrocytes is termed anemia. Hemorrhagic anemia, for example, occurs when bleeding from an external wound or internal ulcer reduces erythrocyte counts.
On the other...
Blood Types
ABO blood group
ABO antigens are glycoproteins encoded by genes present on...
Oxygen Transport in the Blood

