Page 44 - The Miracle of Protein

42 THE MIRACLE OF PROTEIN

DNA sequence
Start of a coding sequence

normal red blood cells

sickled red blood cells
Due to mutations, glutamic acid, which codes hemoglobin protein turn into valin,
leading to the crystallization of hemoglobin molecules. As a result, red blood cells
change shape and get stuck in small blood vessels.

Sickle cell anemia is a disease
caused by valin replacing
glutamic acid in hemoglobin
protein. The illustration at the
right shows a sickle shaped
hemoglobin protein.