What does globin mean?
Globin is the name for a family of iron-containing proteins that bind oxygen reversibly. The best-known globins occur in haemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein of red blood cells, and myoglobin, the oxygen-storing protein found chiefly in muscle and the heart. In fuller names such as haemoglobin, “globin” identifies the protein component; “heme” identifies the iron-containing chemical group that actually holds oxygen. The word is therefore most common in biochemistry, physiology, genetics, and medicine, although it also appears in broader discussions of protein structure and evolution. Clinical references often concern abnormal globin chains or mutations in globin genes, as in sickle cell disease and thalassemia. Because related globins occur across many animals, their structure has also been useful in evolutionary studies. In ordinary speech, “globin” is technical rather than everyday: it names a class of biologically important proteins, not the whole blood or the blood cell containing them. Knowing the word clarifies the division between the oxygen-binding protein scaffold and the heme group within it.
nounAny of a group of iron-containing proteins that reversibly bind oxygen, especially the protein component of haemoglobin and the oxygen-storing protein myoglobin.
- An oxygen-binding, iron-containing protein, especially the protein component of haemoglobin and the oxygen-storing protein myoglobin.
"A mutation in the beta-globin gene can cause sickle cell disease."
"The abnormal haemoglobin produced in sickle cell disease contains a modified beta-globin chain."
"Myoglobin is a globin found chiefly in muscle, where it stores oxygen for use during activity."
The plural is used for individual members of the globin family or for distinct globin proteins.
"Several globins can carry oxygen in different animal tissues."
Globin provides the protein pocket in which heme's iron reversibly binds oxygen, making every breath a molecular handshake.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does globin come from?
English borrowed the term from German Globin in the early twentieth century. German Globin combines global with the protein-designating suffix -in; global comes from Latin globalis, derived from globus, meaning “globe” or “ball.” Words such as globe, global, globular, and globule continue the same Latin root, although they are not technical relatives of globin in meaning.
How globin is actually used
Chiefly a technical term used in biochemistry, physiology, genetics, and medicine. The related British spelling is haemoglobin, while hemoglobin is standard in American English.
Easily confused with globin
Globin is an oxygen-binding, iron-containing protein found chiefly in blood and muscle, whereas globulin is a broader family of globular blood proteins, many of which do not bind oxygen.