what is the function of glutamic acid in sickle cell anaemia?
Glutamic acid is a hydrophilic amino acid wheras valine which replaces glutamic acid ia hydrophobic acid. GLutamic acid being a polar amino acid prevents the aggregation of haemoglobin, so RBC remains concave. When valine changes glutamic acid, hemoglobin aggregates and RBC get distorted and take shape of sickle. The elasticity of RBC also reduce and they find difficult to pass through blood vessels as the sickle shape and reduced elasticity of RBC inhibits the movement.