Structure of fetal hemoglobin (HbF). The 2α and 2γ subunits are in red and yellow, respectively, and the iron-containing heme groups in green. From PDB: 4MQJ, by authors Soman, J. and Olson J.S.
Protein type
metalloprotein, globulin
Function
oxygen-transport
Cofactor(s)
heme (4)
Subunit name
Gene
Chromosomal locus
Hb-α1
HBA1
Chr. 16 p13.3
Hb-α2
HBA2
Chr. 16 p13.3
Hb-γ1
HBG1
Chr. 11 p15.4
Hb-γ2
HBG2
Chr. 11 p15.4
Fetal hemoglobin, or foetal haemoglobin (also hemoglobin F, HbF, or α2γ2) is the main oxygen carrier protein in the human fetus. HemoglobinF is found in fetal red blood cells, and is involved in transporting oxygen from the mother's bloodstream to organs and tissues in the fetus. It is produced at around 6weeks of pregnancy [1] and the levels remain high after birth until the baby is roughly 2–4months old.[2] HemoglobinF has a different composition than adult forms of hemoglobin, allowing it to bind (or attach to) oxygen more strongly; this in turn enables the developing fetus to retrieve oxygen from the mother's bloodstream, which occurs through the placenta found in the mother's uterus.[3]
In the newborn, levels of hemoglobin F gradually decrease and reach adult levels (less than 1% of total hemoglobin) usually within the first year, as adult forms of hemoglobin begin to be produced.[4] Diseases such as beta thalassemias, which affect components of the adult hemoglobin, can delay this process, and cause hemoglobin F levels to be higher than normal.[5] In sickle cell anemia, increasing the production of hemoglobin F has been used as a treatment to relieve some of the symptoms.[6]
^Linch D (1998). Encyclopedia of Immunology (second ed.). Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-12-226765-9.
^Schechter AN (November 2008). "Hemoglobin research and the origins of molecular medicine". Blood. 112 (10): 3927–38. doi:10.1182/blood-2008-04-078188. PMC 2581994. PMID 18988877.
^Wang Y, Zhao S (2010). "Chapter 2: Placental Blood Circulation". Vascular Biology of the Placenta. Morgan & Claypool Life Sciences.
^Wild B (2017). Dacie and Lewis Practical Haematology (12th ed.). Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-7020-6696-2.
^Sripichai O, Fucharoen S (December 2016). "Fetal hemoglobin regulation in β-thalassemia: heterogeneity, modifiers and therapeutic approaches". Expert Review of Hematology. 9 (12): 1129–1137. doi:10.1080/17474086.2016.1255142. PMID 27801605. S2CID 10820279.
^Lanzkron S, Strouse JJ, Wilson R, Beach MC, Haywood C, Park H, et al. (June 2008). "Systematic review: Hydroxyurea for the treatment of adults with sickle cell disease". Annals of Internal Medicine. 148 (12): 939–55. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-148-12-200806170-00221. PMC 3256736. PMID 18458272.
Fetalhemoglobin, or foetal haemoglobin (also hemoglobin F, HbF, or α2γ2) is the main oxygen carrier protein in the human fetus. Hemoglobin F is found...
the umbilical vein. Hemoglobin is a structure found within the red blood cells that binds to and carries oxygen. Fetalhemoglobin enhances the fetus'...
Hereditary persistence of fetalhemoglobin (HPFH) is a benign condition in which increased fetalhemoglobin (hemoglobin F, HbF) production continues well...
are a part of the normal embryonic and fetal development. They may also be pathologic mutant forms of hemoglobin in a population, caused by variations...
also found in tumors. Fetalhemoglobin, the fetal version of hemoglobin. Fetal Troponin T and Troponin I isoforms. FetalHemoglobin is a member of erythrocytes...
1551 mmol/L. Hemoglobin A is the most intensively studied of the hemoglobin molecules.[citation needed] In human infants, the fetalhemoglobin molecule is...
because they still have HbF (fetalhemoglobin). In the first months of life, fetalhemoglobin disappears and the amount of hemoglobin E increases, so the subjects...
Tongprasert F, Srisupundit K, Tongsong T (April 2015). "Fetal cardiac Doppler indices in fetuses with hemoglobin Bart's disease at 12-14weeks of gestation". International...
Hemoglobin A (HbA), also known as adult hemoglobin, hemoglobin A1 or α2β2, is the most common human hemoglobin tetramer, accounting for over 97% of the...
stools in newborn infants. It has been modified to distinguish fetal from maternal hemoglobin in blood samples from any source. The Apt test is most commonly...
levels of fetalhemoglobin (HbF) confer some protection against falciparum malaria in adults with Hereditary persistence of fetalhemoglobin. Evolutionary...
the medical term for a group of inherited blood disorders involving the hemoglobin, the protein of red blood cells. They are single-gene disorders and, in...
disrupted. Fetalhemoglobin is one of the many proteins that require isoleucine. Isoleucine is present in the gamma chain of fetalhemoglobin and must be...
are fetal vessels. The vessels will demonstrate a fetal arterial or venous waveform. Alkali denaturation test detects the presence of fetalhemoglobin in...
distinguish fetalhemoglobin from maternal blood based on the differences in composition of fetalhemoglobin as compared to the hemoglobin found in adults...
anemia. In β thalassemia major the beta hemoglobin chain is completely absent, rendering an increase in fetalhemoglobin (HbF). Alam, Kiran; Aziz, Mehar; Varshney...
much more fetalhemoglobin than usual in adulthood. Fetalhemoglobin likely plays a role in the prevention of sickling. Elevated fetalhemoglobin levels...
blood cells, a reduction in the amount of hemoglobin available for oxygen transport, or abnormalities in hemoglobin that impair its function. The name is...
polycythemia vera, and cervical cancer. In sickle-cell disease it increases fetalhemoglobin and decreases the number of attacks. It is taken by mouth. Common side...
bilirubin metabolism, immature gut microbiota, and increased breakdown of fetalhemoglobin (HbF). Breast milk jaundice is caused by an increased concentration...
normally expressed in the fetal liver, spleen and bone marrow. Two gamma chains together with two alpha chains constitute fetalhemoglobin (HbF) which is normally...
for about 97% of the total hemoglobin; alpha chains combine with delta chains to constitute HbA-2, which with fetalhemoglobin (HbF), composed of alpha...
Lepore in the patients blood ranged from 8 to 30%, the remainder being fetalhemoglobin (Hb F) which is present in minute quantities (typically<1 percent)...
hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell count are extremely high to compensate for low oxygen levels in the womb and the high proportion of fetal hemoglobin...
Thalassemias are inherited blood disorders that result in abnormal hemoglobin. Symptoms depend on the type of thalassemia and can vary from none to severe...
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