Caenorhabditis elegans (which haeme auxotrophs), are used to identify the proteins involved in haeme homeostasis. It is shown that the proteins of HRG-1 and its paralogue HRG-4 are essential for haeme homeostasis, as they are novel transmembrane proteins residing in an intracellular department. Transient knockdown of hrg-1 in zebrafish led to hydrocephalus, yolk tube abnormalities, and defects in erythropoesis. The human and worm HRG proteins co-localize, and bind and transport haeme, showing there is evolutionary conservation of its function.
- Abbhirami Rajagopal
- Anita U. Rao
- Iqbal Hamza
