The Human Red Blood Cell Proteome and Interactome

The red blood cell or erythrocyte is easily purified, readily available, and has a relatively simple structure. Therefore, it has become a very well studied cell in terms of protein composition and function. RBC proteomic studies performed over the last five years, by several laboratories, have identified 751 proteins within the human erythrocyte. As RBCs contain few internal structures, the proteome will contain far fewer proteins than nucleated cells. In this minireview, we summarize the current knowledge of the RBC proteome, discuss alterations in this partial proteome in varied human disease states, and demonstrate how in silico studies of the RBC interactome can lead to considerable insight into disease diagnosis, severity, and drug or gene therapy response. To make these latter points we focus on what is known concerning changes in the RBC proteome in Sickle Cell Disease.