Hbb
Hbb (pronounced as H-B-B) is a gene that encodes the beta-globin protein, a component of hemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
Etymology
The term "Hbb" is an abbreviation for Hemoglobin subunit beta. The term "hemoglobin" is derived from the Greek words "haima" meaning "blood" and "globin" from the Latin "globus" meaning "sphere", referring to the spherical shape of the protein.
Function
The Hbb gene provides instructions for making beta-globin, one of the two types of globin proteins that make up Hemoglobin. Hemoglobin consists of four protein subunits, typically two alpha-globin and two beta-globin molecules in adults. The role of hemoglobin is to carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.
Related Terms
- Hemoglobin: A protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
- Alpha-globin: The other type of globin protein that makes up hemoglobin.
- Red blood cells: Cells that carry oxygen around the body.
- Gene: A segment of DNA that provides instructions for making a protein.
Health Conditions Related to Hbb
Mutations in the Hbb gene can lead to several health conditions, including:
- Beta thalassemia: A blood disorder that reduces the production of hemoglobin.
- Sickle cell disease: A genetic disorder that leads to the production of abnormal hemoglobin.
See Also
This WikiMD.org article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.