In hemoglobin C, what replaces glutamic acid?

In hemoglobin C, glutamic acid is replaced by lysine at the sixth position of the beta-globin chain. This substitution is significant because it alters the charge and structure of the hemoglobin molecule. Glutamic acid is negatively charged, whereas lysine is positively charged. This change in charge affects the way hemoglobin C interacts with other molecules and can lead to the formation of crystals in red blood cells under certain conditions, contributing to hemolytic anemia. The presence of lysine instead of glutamic acid is a critical feature in identifying hemoglobin C and understanding its biochemical properties.