How ankyrin-1 keeps red blood cells shaped and stable
Architecture, dynamics and regulation of erythrocyte ankyrin-1 complexes
Researchers are mapping how ankyrin-1 holds membrane proteins together in red blood cells to help people with hereditary spherocytosis and related inherited anemias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11133005 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would hear that scientists are examining the molecular machinery that keeps red blood cells the right shape, focusing on the ankyrin-1 protein and its partners. They will isolate ankyrin-1 complexes and visualize their architecture using high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy and lipid nanodiscs that mimic the cell membrane. The team will also study how these complexes assemble, change over time, and connect to the spectrin-actin skeleton and the band 3 anion exchanger. Insights will aim to explain how loss or mutation of specific components leads to misshapen, fragile red blood cells seen in hereditary spherocytosis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for any sample donation or future related trials would be people with hereditary spherocytosis or other inherited hemolytic anemias, especially those with known ANK1 gene changes or characteristic red cell shape abnormalities.
Not a fit: People with unrelated causes of anemia (for example iron-deficiency or aplastic anemia) or blood disorders not linked to ankyrin-1 are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new diagnostic markers or targeted approaches to prevent red blood cell fragility in hereditary spherocytosis and related anemias.
How similar studies have performed: High-resolution structural methods have successfully revealed other membrane protein assemblies, but applying cryo-EM to intact human erythrocyte ankyrin-1 complexes is relatively novel and exploratory.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Clarke, Oliver Biggs — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Clarke, Oliver Biggs
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.