Localization of repetitive and unique DNA sequences neighbouring the rabbit beta-globin gene

The structure of oxymyoglobin has been refined at 1·6 Å resolution, using diffractometer data collected at ?12 °C. The crystallographic R factor is 0·159, and the atomic positions are known to 0·1 Å accuracy in internal segments of the molecule.The iron atom lies 0·22(3) Å from the plane of the porphyrin, 0·25 Å closer than in deoxymyoglobin, and the F helix has moved by a similar amount. Oxygen binds to the iron in a bent, end-on arrangement, with FeOO = 115(5) ° and FeO = 1·83(6) Å. The mean FeN(porphyrin) bond length is 1·95(6) Å, 0·08 Å shorter than in deoxymyoglobin, but the difference is not significant compared to the experimental error. FeN_ε(His8F) is 2·07(6) Å, the same as in model compounds. Movements of the haem, iron, F helix and FG corner on oxygenation are similar to those found in the T-R state transition in haemoglobin, but are smaller in magnitude.