Which RBC membrane protein is essential for Cl⁻ transport?
Physiology of carbon dioxide delivery relies on chloride bicarbonate exchange across erythrocyte membrane rather than G protein signaling. Authentic transporter Band 3 anion exchanger 1 SLC4A1 abundant integral protein fourteen transmembrane helices catalyzing electroneutral one to one antiport of chloride for bicarbonate at high turnover supporting conversion of CO2 to bicarbonate via carbonic anhydrase for plasma carriage known as chloride shift Hamburger phenomenon. At pulmonary capillaries exchange reverses enabling CO2 exhalation. GPCR family members are seven-transmembrane receptors coup
Ref: Lodish et al., Molecular Cell Biology, 9th ed., Chapter 15, AE1 Band 3 Chloride-Bicarbonate Exchanger.