The Chaperones Involved in Hemoglobin Synthesis Take the Spotlight: Analysis of AHSP in the Argentinean Population and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Hemoglobin (Hb) synthesis is a complex, well-coordinated process that requires molecular chaperones. These intervene in different steps: regulating epigenetic mechanisms necessary for the adequate expression of the α- and β-globin clusters, binding the nascent peptides and helping them acquire their native structure, preventing oxidative damage by free globin chains and preventing the cleavage of essential erythroid transcription factors. This study analyzed the distribution of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs4296276 in intron 1 of the α-globin chaperone α Hb-stabilizing protein (AHSP) in the Argentinean population. The risk allele was found in thalassemia patients who exhibited more severe phenotypes than expected. Future studies may help establish the role of these chaperones as modifiers in pathological states with globin chain imbalance, such as thalassemia.

Keywords:

• α hemoglobin-stabilizing protein (AHSP)
• α-globin family
• β-globin family
• chaperones
• hemoglobin (Hb)
• thalassemia

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by Research Grant PICT 2015–1811 from FONCyT-ANPCyT-MINCyT, to Héctor Manuel Targovnik.