Hemoglobin Assembly Facts
One alpha chain joins with one non-alpha chain to form
dimers.
Two dimers join to form tetramers..
All adult hemoglobins have 2 alpha globin chains plus
2 other globin chains based on type of hgb:
Hgb A =
2
a
+ 2
b
Hgb A
2
=
2
a
+ 2
d
Hgb F =
2
a
+ 2
g
95 - 97%
2 - 3%
< 2%
by age 2 years
Types of fetal hemoglobins:
Hb Gower 1 =
Hb Gower 2 =
Hb Portland =
2
z
+ 2
e
2
a
+ 2
e
2
z
+ 2
g