Oxygen-sensitive cation transport in sickle cells

There are many examples of O-2-sensitive solute transport in vertebrate red cells. The response is selective, specific, and conserved across the entir e vertebrate spectrum. A number of possible physiological roles have been p roposed, but abnormal responses to O-2 may also be important pathologically . Significant alterations in O-2 dependence of red cell cation transport ar e observed in sickle cell disease land also following exposure to oxidants) and probably contribute to its pathophysiology. In this paper, we review s ome of the features of O-2-sensitive solute transporters in red cells and p ossible reasons for the abnormal response in sickle cells. Our aim is to id entify specific, novel pharmacological inhibitors of these abnormal pathway s and thereby ameliorate the disease. (C) 2001 Academic Press.