The energy-less red blood cell is lost: erythrocyte enzyme abnormalities of glycolysis

Blood. 2005 Dec 15;106(13):4034-42. doi: 10.1182/blood-2005-04-1622. Epub 2005 Jul 28.

Abstract

The red blood cell depends solely on the anaerobic conversion of glucose by the Embden-Meyerhof pathway for the generation and storage of high-energy phosphates, which is necessary for the maintenance of a number of vital functions. Many red blood cell enzymopathies have been described that disturb the erythrocyte's integrity, shorten its cellular survival, and result in hemolytic anemia. By far the majority of these enzymopathies are hereditary in nature. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the genetic, biochemical, and structural features of clinically relevant red blood cell enzymopathies involved in the Embden-Meyerhof pathway and the Rapoport-Luebering shunt.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Energy Metabolism*
  • Erythrocytes / enzymology*
  • Glycolysis*
  • Humans