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Molecular mechanism for the red blood cell senescence clock
Author(s) -
Badior Katherine E.,
Casey Joseph R.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
iubmb life
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.132
H-Index - 113
eISSN - 1521-6551
pISSN - 1521-6543
DOI - 10.1002/iub.1703
Subject(s) - autophagy , band 3 , senescence , microbiology and biotechnology , organelle , antibody , apoptosis , biology , red blood cell , mechanism (biology) , chemistry , membrane protein , immunology , biochemistry , membrane , philosophy , epistemology
Lacking protein synthesis machinery and organelles necessary for autophagy or apoptosis, aged red blood cells (RBCs) are marked by circulating auto‐antibodies for macrophage‐mediated clearance. The antigen recognized by these auto‐antibodies is the major protein of the RBC membrane, Band 3. To ensure regulation and specificity in clearance, the molecular “clock” must mark senescent cells in a way that differentiates them from younger cells, to prevent premature clearance. Predominant models of Band 3 senescence signaling are reviewed, and merits are discussed in light of the recently published crystal structure of the Band 3 membrane domain. © 2017 IUBMB Life, 70(1):32–40, 2018