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Target intelligence / Profile preview
Hemoglobin subunit delta (HBD)
- Target
- HBD
- Molecular classification
- Non-enzyme globin protein, Oxygen-transport protein, Blood protein family, Globin gene family
01
Overview
Hemoglobin subunit delta is a globin protein encoded by the HBD gene on chromosome 11. It combines with two alpha-globin chains to form hemoglobin A2 (HbA2), a minor adult hemoglobin that comprises about 2–3% of total adult hemoglobin. HBD is not a drug target or therapeutic receptor but serves a crucial role in oxygen transport from the lungs to peripheral tissues as part of HbA2. Mutations in the delta-globin gene can cause delta-thalassemia and modify the clinical picture of thalassemia syndromes by altering HbA2 levels, which are used diagnostically. HBD is part of the beta-globin gene cluster and is mainly clinically relevant as a genetic and diagnostic factor in hemoglobinopathies, but it is not modulated by approved therapeutics.
- Other names
- Hemoglobin delta chainDelta-globinHemoglobin deltaHBKdelta globindelta-globin chain
02
Mechanism of action
Not applicable (no known drugs target this subunit directly)
03
Biological functions
Oxygen transportIron ion bindingComponent of HbA2 (minor adult hemoglobin)
04
Disease associations
Hemoglobinopathy (e.g., Delta-thalassemia, Delta/beta-thalassemia syndromes)Diagnostic confounder in thalassemia screeningAltered HbA2 levels interfere with β-thalassemia diagnosis
05
Safety considerations
Not a direct therapeutic target; safety concerns arise only in context of hemoglobinopathies due to genetic variants (may mask or mimic thalassemia syndromes during screening)
06
Biomarkers
HbA2 fraction (used as a biomarker in the diagnosis and screening of beta-thalassemia and related hemoglobinopathies)
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