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Potential Hemoglobin A/F role in clinical Malaria.
Vikky Awasthi1, Debprasad Chattopadhyay2, Jyoti Das1
1Immunology Division, ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, Dwarka, New Delhi; Present Address: Regional Medical Research Centre, Belagavi, Nehru Nagar, National Highway No.4, Belagavi-590010, Karnataka, India.
Bioinformation
|September 30, 2017
Summary
Children with Hemoglobin F (HbF) have isoleucine, unlike adults with Hemoglobin A (HbA). This difference in hemoglobin composition makes children more vulnerable to malaria by providing essential nutrients for the parasite.
Area of Science:
- Malariology
- Hematology
- Parasitology
Background:
- The malaria parasite, Plasmodium, relies on host red blood cells (RBCs) for nutrition during its erythrocytic cycle.
- Plasmodium scavenges hemoglobin from RBCs to fulfill its amino acid requirements.
- Hemoglobin composition varies with age, with Hemoglobin F (HbF) prevalent in children and Hemoglobin A (HbA) in adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the compositional differences between adult Hemoglobin A (HbA) and fetal Hemoglobin F (HbF).
- To investigate the role of these compositional differences in malaria vulnerability.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of hemoglobin composition based on age-related prevalence.
- Literature review on Plasmodium nutritional requirements and hemoglobin structure.
Main Results:
- Hemoglobin F (HbF), found in children, contains the amino acid isoleucine.
- Hemoglobin A (HbA), dominant in adults, lacks isoleucine.
- The presence of isoleucine in HbF provides a readily available nutrient source for the malaria parasite.
Conclusions:
- The isoleucine content in fetal Hemoglobin F (HbF) may enhance the growth of Plasmodium.
- This nutritional advantage for the parasite could explain the increased susceptibility of children to severe malaria compared to adults.
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