Functional behavior of tortoise hemoglobin Geochelone denticulata

The hemolysate from Geochelone denticulata contains two main hemoglobin components, as shown by ion exchange chromatography and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Electrophoresis under dissociating conditions showed three types of globin chains. The apparent molecular mass, as determined by gel filtration on Sephadex G-200, was compatible with tetrameric Hb, which was unable to polymerize. The G. denticulata Hb has a P50 value of 9.56 mm Hg at pH 7.4. The Hb oxygenation appears to be under the control of organic phosphates and hydrogen ion since it is strongly affected by those species. In the presence ATP or IHP the P50 values increased to 29.51 mm Hg and 54.95 mm Hg, respectively, at pH 7.4. The n50 was generally lower than 1.5 in stripped Hb, suggesting a dissociation of tetramers. In the presence of organic phosphates n50 values increased to approximately 2.5. The Bohr effect was evident in oxygen equilibrium experiments. The hematocrit (32 percent) and Hb concentration (5.7 mM as heme) of G. denticulata blood were substantially larger than those of G. carbonaria, but the methemoglobin levels were similar in both species, approximately 1 percent. Thus, the oxygen capacity of blood appears to be higher in G. denticulata than in G. carbonaria, particularly considering the functional properties of their Hbs, which would guarantee the survival of animals

Oxygenation properties of hemoglobin from the turtle Geochelone carbonaria

The oxygen-binding properties of hemoglobin (Hb) from the adult terrestrial turtle Geochelone carbonaria are described. Turtle hemoglobins have a low intrinsic oxygen affinity and a low sensitivity to an endogenous cofactor (ATP) usually present at high concentrations in the reptile erythrocytes. The amplitude of the Bohr effect for O2 binding was virtually the same in the absence and presence of saturating ATP concentrations (deltalogP50/deltapH, about -0.60) and increased in the total hemolysate (-0.83). The large Bohr effect found in G. carbonaria Hb may be important for 02 delivery to the tissue. The degree of cooperativity displayed by Hb for 02 binding ranged between 1.5 and 2.0 in stripped solution and total hemolysate. These observations suggest the stability of the low affinity conformation, which needs to be confirmed by additional experiments.

Fluorescence studies on the binding of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate to human hemoglobin A and its variant hemoglobin providence

The affinity constants for the binding of NADPH to human hemoglobin A were directly determined by fluorescence analyssis since nucleotide fluorescence is quenched on binding to the protein. The binding constants 6.1 x 10**5, 5.02 x 10**5 and 1.2 x 10**5 were found for deosyhemoglobin at pH 6.5, 7.0,respectively. Oxyhemoglobin does not bind NADPH significantly. These results are consistent with those found in oxygen-hemoglobin equilibrium experiments. The human hemoglobin variant, Providence-Asp, which has a marked decrease in 2,3 DPG affinity was also investigated. NADPH does not bind to the variant suggesting that the Lys B 82 residues is of fundamental importance to nucleotide binding and showing that the binding site is the same as that of 2,3 DPG or other organic polyphosphate, aloosteric modulators of hemoglobins. Experiments of inositol hexaphosphate (IHP)-NADPH site competition corroborate these results

Further evidence of dimer-tetramer transition in hemoglobin from Liophis miliaris

Liophis miliaris hemoglobins in the stripped form exhibit a high oxigen affinity, a small alkaline Bohr effect, a pronounce organic polyphosphate effect and a pH-dependent Hill coefficient, close to 2 below pH 7.5 and near 1 at higher pHs. Molecular weight determinations indicate 2 forms, a dimeric form of MW 32000 d. and a tetrameric form of about 64000 d. The deoxyhemoglobin is tetrameric. Ion-exchange chromatography shows two components which may bind to each other being eluted as a single component of MW 32000 d. The osygen alkaline Bohr effect observed for the stripped hemoglobin may be explained by the transition from the tetramer to the dimer during oxygen addition experiments. The phenomenon appears to be unique among animals. ß-Chain sequencing determinations show that abnormal human hemoglobin with similar properties has a glutamic acid residue substituted at the alfa1-ß2 interface by valine in snake hemoglobin