process

Erythropoiesis

Erythropoiesis is the process in which new erythrocytes are produced. These new erythrocytes replace the oldest erythrocytes (normally about one percent) that are phagocytosed and destroyed each day. Folate, vitamin B12, and iron have crucial roles in erythropoiesis. Erythroblasts require folate and vitamin B12 for proliferation during their differentiation. Deficiency of folate or vitamin B12 inhibits purine and thymidylate syntheses, impairs DNA synthesis, and causes erythroblast apoptosis, resulting in anemia from ineffective erythropoiesis. Erythroblasts require large amounts of iron for hemoglobin synthesis. Large amounts of iron are recycled daily with hemoglobin breakdown from destroyed old erythrocytes. Many recently identified proteins are involved in absorption, storage, and cellular export of nonheme iron and in erythroblast uptake and utilization of iron. Erythroblast heme levels regulate uptake of iron and globin synthesis such that iron deficiency causes anemia by retarded production rates with smaller, less hemoglobinized erythrocytes.

Ref:
Koury MJ, Ponka P. New insights into erythropoiesis: the roles of folate, vitamin B12, and iron. Annu Rev Nutr. 2004;24:105-31. doi: 10.1146/annurev.nutr.24.012003.132306. PMID: 15189115.

20 confidence points
0 comments
Added on May 18, 2022 by Barbara Van De Keer
Edited on Jul 30, 2022 by Barbara Van De Keer

Join Ninatoka!!

NinatoKa's goal is to support you as a therapist in unravelling the illness pathway from symptoms to cause, and to help you detect potential interventions.

Go to Explore to start your discovery!

Go to Learn to scroll through newly added data.

Go to Contribute to contribute to the Ninatoka database.

You can rate content up or down and add comments if you agree or disagree.