2,3 BPG is produced by erythrocytes when there are low levels of oxygen, like at high altitudes. 2,3 BPG shifts the oxygen dissociation curve to the right so that hemoglobin has reduced affinity for oxygen. This results in an increased in O2 delivery to the tissues.
1,3 BPG, the precursor to 2,3 BPG, is formed during one of the steps in glycolysis. In hypoxic environments, it does not become pyruvate but instead is converted into 2,3 BPG by BPG mutase. As a result, the cell is sacrificing the formation of ATP for increased O2 delivery.
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