Which of the following is FALSE about the fate of the glycolytic pathway in erythrocytes?
a) Glycolysis is the sole source of ATP in erythrocytes.
b) Deficiency of pyruvate kinase leads to hemolytic anemia.
c) Pyruvate generated during glycolysis is converted to lactate.
d) Pyruvate generated during glycolysis is converted to acetyl CoA and enters the TCA cycle in mitochondria.
The objective of the MCQ above is to discuss
- Red blood cells shape and morphology
- The fate of glucose in red blood cells
- Metabolic control of glucose metabolism
Red blood cells are bone marrow-derived non-dividing cells that contain hemoglobin (95% of intracellular protein) and help to transport oxygen from lungs to peripheral tissue. The RBCs help in disposal of carbon dioxide and a proton from the peripheral tissue. The red blood cells are a biconcave structure that increases the surface-to-volume ratio and facilitate gas exchange. Morphologically, red blood cells are anucleated and lack organelles such as mitochondria, lysosomes or Golgi apparatus. Although biosynthetic pathways do not occur in RBC, the ATP, and NADPH are required for maintenance of cellular structure The energy is utilized by anion-exchange proteins, NA+ K+ ATPase, other transporter proteins to maintain cellular homeostasis. The glycolytic pathway occurs in cytosol and pyruvate can be converted to lactate and regenerate NAD required for continuation of the glycolytic pathway. These characteristics of the glycolytic pathway make glucose suitable source of energy in red blood cells.
In red blood cells, glucose can into two different pathway i.e glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway. Glycolysis is the conversion of glucose into pyruvate with the generation of net 2 ATPs and 2 NADH. The glycolytic pathway is activated when cellular ATP level is decreased. These ATPs are utilized by various ion transporter to maintain the integrity of the cells. The hemoglobin in red blood cells bind to oxygen and deliver to the target tissues. Auto-oxidation of iron-containing hemoglobin and propagation of electrons lead to a generation of free radicals that are toxic to the tissues. The red blood cell consists of enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase. Superoxide dismutase, glutathione requiring enzyme, converts superoxide to hydrogen peroxide and catalase converts hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. Superoxide dismutase enzyme activity depends on the availability of reduced glutathione. The glutathione peroxidase catalyzes the cycling of reduced glutathione in an expense of NADPH. The pentose phosphate pathway generates NADPH that is utilized by RBC for converting toxic superoxide radicals to non-toxic oxygen and water.
The fate of glucose in red blood cells
Glutathione NADPH cycle in RBC.
SOD- Superoxide dismutase, GSH- Glutathione, GPX-Glutathione peroxidase, G6PD-Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, CAT- Catalase
The defective enzymes of the glycolytic pathway or pentose phosphate pathway can adversely affect the cellular integrity of red blood cells by two distinct mechanisms. The defect in the glycolytic pathway can lead to decreased ATP production, decrease the activity of ATP dependent ions channels, dysregulation of ions and cellular lysis. On the other hand, the defect in the enzyme of pentose phosphate pathway (e.g. glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) lead to decreased NADPH, decreased the activity of NADPH dependent enzymes, accumulation of toxic free radicals ultimately leading to hemolytic anemia.
Correct: Answer D ( Red blood cells lack mitochondrial require for conversion of pyruvate to acetyl CoA)
a) Glycolysis is the sole source of ATP in erythrocytes.
b) Deficiency of pyruvate kinase leads to hemolytic anemia.
c) Pyruvate generated during glycolysis is converted to lactate.
d) Pyruvate generated during glycolysis is converted to acetyl CoA and enters the TCA cycle in mitochondria.
The objective of the MCQ above is to discuss
- Red blood cells shape and morphology
- The fate of glucose in red blood cells
- Metabolic control of glucose metabolism
Red blood cells are bone marrow-derived non-dividing cells that contain hemoglobin (95% of intracellular protein) and help to transport oxygen from lungs to peripheral tissue. The RBCs help in disposal of carbon dioxide and a proton from the peripheral tissue. The red blood cells are a biconcave structure that increases the surface-to-volume ratio and facilitate gas exchange. Morphologically, red blood cells are anucleated and lack organelles such as mitochondria, lysosomes or Golgi apparatus. Although biosynthetic pathways do not occur in RBC, the ATP, and NADPH are required for maintenance of cellular structure The energy is utilized by anion-exchange proteins, NA+ K+ ATPase, other transporter proteins to maintain cellular homeostasis. The glycolytic pathway occurs in cytosol and pyruvate can be converted to lactate and regenerate NAD required for continuation of the glycolytic pathway. These characteristics of the glycolytic pathway make glucose suitable source of energy in red blood cells.
In red blood cells, glucose can into two different pathway i.e glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway. Glycolysis is the conversion of glucose into pyruvate with the generation of net 2 ATPs and 2 NADH. The glycolytic pathway is activated when cellular ATP level is decreased. These ATPs are utilized by various ion transporter to maintain the integrity of the cells. The hemoglobin in red blood cells bind to oxygen and deliver to the target tissues. Auto-oxidation of iron-containing hemoglobin and propagation of electrons lead to a generation of free radicals that are toxic to the tissues. The red blood cell consists of enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase. Superoxide dismutase, glutathione requiring enzyme, converts superoxide to hydrogen peroxide and catalase converts hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. Superoxide dismutase enzyme activity depends on the availability of reduced glutathione. The glutathione peroxidase catalyzes the cycling of reduced glutathione in an expense of NADPH. The pentose phosphate pathway generates NADPH that is utilized by RBC for converting toxic superoxide radicals to non-toxic oxygen and water.
The fate of glucose in red blood cells
Glutathione NADPH cycle in RBC.
SOD- Superoxide dismutase, GSH- Glutathione, GPX-Glutathione peroxidase, G6PD-Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, CAT- Catalase
The defective enzymes of the glycolytic pathway or pentose phosphate pathway can adversely affect the cellular integrity of red blood cells by two distinct mechanisms. The defect in the glycolytic pathway can lead to decreased ATP production, decrease the activity of ATP dependent ions channels, dysregulation of ions and cellular lysis. On the other hand, the defect in the enzyme of pentose phosphate pathway (e.g. glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) lead to decreased NADPH, decreased the activity of NADPH dependent enzymes, accumulation of toxic free radicals ultimately leading to hemolytic anemia.
Correct: Answer D ( Red blood cells lack mitochondrial require for conversion of pyruvate to acetyl CoA)