Oxygen abundant

Metabolic enzymes and BLVRB associate with Band 3’s inward-facing tip.

cell exteriorcell interiorBand 3 tipmetabolicenzymesBLVRBoxygenatedhemoglobin

The associated proteins remain gathered at the membrane scaffold.

Oxygen low

Deoxygenated hemoglobin binds near the tip as other partners are released.

cell exteriorcell interiorBand 3 tipdeoxygenatedhemoglobinmetabolic enzymesreleasedBLVRBreleased

Glycolysis rises → 2,3-BPG rises
Hemoglobin’s affinity for oxygen decreases.

hemoglobinBand 3associated proteinssolid line = association; dashed arrow = release