HBB
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HBB
HBB (pronounced as H-B-B), also known as Beta Globin, is a gene that provides instructions for making a protein called beta-globin. Beta-globin is a component (subunit) of a larger protein called hemoglobin, which is responsible for carrying oxygen in the blood.
Etymology
The term HBB is an abbreviation derived from Hemoglobin, Beta B subunit. Hemoglobin is derived from the Greek words "haima" meaning blood and "globin" meaning sphere, referring to the protein's round shape. The term "beta" is used to distinguish this particular type of globin from others, and is derived from the second letter of the Greek alphabet.
Related Terms
- Hemoglobin: A protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and returns carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs.
- Alpha Globin: Another subunit of hemoglobin, produced by the HBA1 and HBA2 genes.
- Sickle Cell Disease: A group of disorders that cause red blood cells to become misshapen and break down, often associated with mutations in the HBB gene.
- Beta Thalassemia: A blood disorder that reduces the production of hemoglobin, often caused by mutations in the HBB gene.
See Also
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