Haemoglobin Rainier : β145 (HC2) Tyrosine→Cysteine and Haemoglobin Bethesda: β145 (HC2) Tyrosine → Histidine

A biochemical analysis of the structural abnormalities of haemoglobins Bethesda and Rainier has located them in a dipeptide of the β-chains.     

The molecular code for hemoglobin allostery revealed by linking the thermodynamics and kinetics of quaternary structural change. 2. Cooperative free energies of (alphaFeCObetaFe)2 and (alphaFebetaFeCO)2 T-state tetramers

Ligand photodissociation experiments are used to measure the prephotolysis equilibria between doubly liganded R and T quaternary conformers of the symmetric Fe-Co HbCO hybrids, (alpha(FeCO)beta(Co))(2) and (alpha(Co)beta(FeCO))(2). The free energies obtained from these data are used to calculate the cooperative free energies of the (alpha(FeCO)beta(Fe))(2) and (alpha(Fe)beta(FeCO))(2) intermediate CO-ligation states of normal hemoglobin in the T conformation, quantities important to the evaluation of current models of cooperativity. The symmetry rule model, incorporating sequential cooperativity of T-state ligand binding within an alphabeta dimer in addition to the traditional two-state cooperativity of the tetramer, predicts a larger free energy penalty for disturbing both dimers in a doubly liganded T tetramer than would be expected in the two-state model as currently formulated. (Cooperative energy penalties are simply proportional to the number of tetramer-bound ligands in the traditional two-state model.) The value found here for the energies of doubly liganded T microstates in which both dimers are perturbed, 7.9 +/- 0.3 kcal/mol, is consistent with the symmetry rule model but significantly higher than that expected (5-6 kcal/mol) in the two-state model of cooperativity.     

The deoxygenation kinetic properties of human fetal hemoglobin: effect of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate

The deoxygenation kinetics of isolated adult and fetal hemoglobin are measured. The results demonstrate that significant functional differences exist between the two tetrameric hemoglobins. It is pointed out that these functional differences closely parallel the differences in similar properties of beta and gamma chains. It is also shown that 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) has no significant effect on the deoxygenation rate of fetal hemoglobin. This result appears to be consistent with the reported weaker binding of 2,3-DPG to the oxygen linked groups of fetal hemoglobin.     

Conformation in solution of hemoglobin Osler (alpha 2 A beta 2 145 Tyr replaced by Asp).

Computer simulations of Gelin and Karplus ((1977) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 74, 801-805) suggest that in hemoglobin upon ligation the penultimate tyrosyl residues of the subunits are not expelled from the hydrophobic pockets described in the crystals between the helices E and F (Perutz, M.F. (1970) Nature 228, 726-737). This implies that both the liganded and unliganded conformations of hemoglobin may be affected by mutations involving such residues. Investigation of the conformational behavior of liganded and unliganded hemoglobin Osler was conducted measuring the functional properties, the subunits dissociation, the CD and electronic spectra, the protons absorption upon interaction with polyanions, and the reactivity of the -SH groups of the protein. The results suggest that both the liganded and unliganded conformations of the system are affected by the mutation, confirming the anticipations of Gelin and Karplus on the relevance of tyrosine at beta 145 for both allosteric states of hemoglobin.     

Component D of chicken hemoglobin and the hemoglobin of the embryonic Tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) self-associate upon deoxygenation: Effect on oxygen binding

Extensive measurements of oxygen binding by some vertebrate hemoglobins (Hbs) have suggested an unusually high degree of cooperativity with reported Hill coefficients, n(H), greater than 4.0. We have reexamined this possibility of "super-cooperativity" with chicken Hb components A (alpha(A) (2)beta(2)) and D (alpha(D) (2)beta(2)). Prior studies have shown that component D but not A self-associates to dimers of tetramers upon deoxygenation. This self-association is reflected in the oxygen equilibrium of Hb D which shows a maximal n(H), greater than 4.0 at approximately 4 mM heme concentration. In contrast, component A has maximal n(H) value below 3. The value of the maximal n(H) for Hb D increases linearly with the fraction of octamer present in the deoxy Hb. We anticipate that deoxygenation-dependent self-association will be shown to be a general property of Hb D from birds and reptiles. Neither oxygen equilibria nor sedimentation measurements show any evidence that components A and D interact to form a complex when deoxygenated. We have also reexamined the oxygen equilibria of Hbs of an embryonic marsupial, the wallaby. The equilibria in red cells have been reported to have Hill coefficients as high as 5-6. Although our oxygen equilibrium measurements of solutions of unfractionated wallaby Hb at a concentration of approximately 1 mM show no n(H) values greater than approximately 3.0, sedimentation velocity measurements provide clear evidence for deoxygenation-dependent self-association.     

Calibration of oxygen meters and determination of the curve for hemoglobin dissociation by kinetics of oxygenation and deoxygenation of the blood

A method to determine optical oxygenometers calibration and hemoglobin--oxygen equilibrium curve for the undamaged blood is described. This method does not require the oxygen equilibrium between the blood plasma and erythrocyte cytoplasm and uses only readings of the oxygenometer calibrated.     

Effect of age on O(2) uptake kinetics and the adaptation of muscle deoxygenation at the onset of moderate-intensity cycling exercise.

Phase 2 pulmonary O(2) uptake (Vo(2(p))) kinetics are slowed with aging. To examine the effect of aging on the adaptation of Vo(2(p)) and deoxygenation of the vastus lateralis muscle at the onset of moderate-intensity constant-load cycling exercise, young (Y) (n = 6; 25 +/- 3 yr) and older (O) (n = 6; 68 +/- 3 yr) adults performed repeated transitions from 20 W to work rates corresponding to moderate-intensity (80% estimated lactate threshold) exercise. Breath-by-breath Vo(2(p)) was measured by mass spectrometer and volume turbine. Deoxy (HHb)-, oxy-, and total Hb and/or myoglobin were determined by near-infrared spectroscopy (Hamamatsu NIRO-300). Vo(2(p)) data were filtered, interpolated to 1 s, and averaged to 5-s bins. HHb data were filtered and averaged to 5-s bins. Vo(2(p)) data were fit with a monoexponential model for phase 2, and HHb data were analyzed to determine the time delay from exercise onset to the start of an increase in HHb and thereafter were fit with a single-component exponential model. The phase 2 time constant for Vo(2(p)) was slower (P < 0.01) in O (Y: 26 +/- 7 s; O: 42 +/- 9 s), whereas the delay before an increase in HHb (Y: 12 +/- 2 s; O: 11 +/- 1 s) and the time constant for HHb after the time delay (Y: 13 +/- 10 s; O: 9 +/- 3 s) were similar in Y and O. However, the increase in HHb for a given increase in Vo(2(p)) (Y: 7 +/- 2 microM x l(-1) x min(-1); O: 13 +/- 4 microM x l(-1) x min(-1)) was greater (P < 0.01) in O compared with Y. The slower Vo(2(p)) kinetics in O compared with Y adults was accompanied by a slower increase of local muscle blood flow and O(2) delivery discerned from a faster and greater muscle deoxygenation relative to Vo(2(p)) in O.     

Direct electrochemistry of hemoglobin in egg-phosphatidylcholine films and its catalysis to H(2)O(2)

Direct electrochemistry of hemoglobin was observed in stable thin film composed of a natural lipid (egg-phosphatidylcholine) and hemoglobin on pyrolytic graphite (PG) electrode. Hemoglobin in lipid films shows thin layer electrochemistry behavior. The formal potential E degrees ' of hemoglobin in the lipid film was linearly varied with pH in the range from 3.5 to 7.0 with a slope of -46.4 mV pH(-1). Hemoglobin in the lipid film exhibited elegant catalytic activity for electrochemical reduction of H(2)O(2), based which a unmediated biosensor for H(2)O(2) was developed.     

Altered ligand rebinding kinetics due to distal-side effects in hemoglobin chico (Lysbeta66(E10) --> thr)

Hb Chico is an unusual human hemoglobin variant that has lowered oxygen affinity, but unaltered cooperativity and anion sensitivity. Previous studies showed these features to be associated with distal-side heme pocket alterations that confer increased structural rigidity on the molecule and that increase water content in the beta-chain heme pocket. We report here that the extent of nanosecond geminate rebinding of oxygen to the variant and its isolated beta-chains is appreciably decreased. Structural alterations in this variant decrease its oxygen recombination rates without significantly altering rates of migration out of the heme pocket. Data analysis indicates that one or more barriers that impede rebinding of oxygen from docking sites in the heme pocket are increased, with less consequence for CO rebinding. Resonance Raman spectra show no significant alterations in spectral regions sensitive to interactions between the heme iron and the proximal histidine residue, confirming that the functional differences in the variant are due to distal-side heme pocket alterations. These effects are discussed in the context of a schematic representation of heme pocket wells and barriers that could aid the design of novel hemoglobins with altered ligand affinity without loss of the normal allosteric responses that facilitate unloading of oxygen to respiring tissues.     

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance studies of hemoglobins Osler (beta145HC2 Tyr replaced by Asp) and McKee Rocks (beta145HC2 Tyr replaced by term): an assignment for an important tertiary structural probe in hemoglobin

High-resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance studies of deoxyhemoglobins Osler (beta145HC2 Tyr replaced by Asp) and McKees Rocks (beta 145HC2 Tyr replaced by term) indicate that these hemoglobins are predominately in the oxy quaternary structure in 0.1 M [bis(2-hydroxyethyl)imino]-tris(hydroxymethyl) methane buffer at pH 7. Upon the addition of inositol hexaphosphate, the proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of these hemoglobins become similar to those characteristic of a hemoglobin molecule in the deoxy quaternary structure. The exchangeable proton resonance which is found at -6.4 ppm from H2O in the spectrum of normal human adult deoxyhemoglobin is absent in the spectra of these two mutant hemoglobins. Consequently we believe the hydrogen bond between the hydroxyl group of tyrosine-beta145HC2 and the carboxyl oxygen of valine-beta98FG5 gives rise to this resonance. This assignment allows us to use the -6.4ppm resonance as an important tertiary structural probe in the investigation of the cooperative oxygenation of hemoglobin.     

The molecular characterization of an A:T to G:C transition in theHbb-b1 gene of the murine homologue of hemoglobin Rainier

An N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU)-induced mutation in the Hbb-b1 gene of the mouse hemoglobin-beta complex (Hbb) has been shown to result in a high-oxygen affinity hemoglobin, homologous with hemoglobin Rainier in man (Peters, J., et al., Genetics 110:709, 1985). Substitution of beta 145 tyrosine by cysteine had occurred in both human and mouse forms, probably as the result of a point mutation. Provided that sufficient sequence information is available, point mutations can be directly and rapidly analyzed by allele-specific amplification (ASA), as this technique is sensitive enough to detect single nucleotide differences. We report the use of ASA to detect and characterize the mutation in the murine beta-globin gene, Hbb-b1d-m1, and find that the codon for beta 145 tyrosine (TAC) has been replaced by the codon for cysteine (TGC). Therefore, ENU induced an A:T----G:C transition.     

The effect of hemoglobin ligands on the kinetics of human hemoglobin A1c formation

HbA1c is the most prevalent of the minor human hemoglobins. It is formed by the nonenzymatic addition of glucose to the alpha-amino group of the beta chain by an initial condensation reaction and a subsequent intermolecular Amadori rearrangement. We have developed a method of analysis which utilizes high performance liquid chromatography to follow the formation of HbA1c and greatly simplifies the determination of the kinetic parameters associated with this reaction. This has allowed us to study the effects of several Hb ligands, including the hydrogen ion, on the kinetics of this glycosylation reaction. Both the initial condensation reaction and the subsequent rearrangement are shown to exhibit acid catalysis, but the rate of the condensation step is limited by the extent of protonation of the alpha-amino group. The variation in kinetic parameters as a function of hydrogen ion concentration has allowed us to determine the probable reaction mechanism of HbA1c formation by comparison to previously reported model systems of Schiff base formation and Amadori rearrangement. The formation of pre-HbA1c from deoxy-Hb shows an increased forward rate when compared to oxy-Hb. The presence of physiologic concentrations of CO2 causes a proportional decrease in both k1 and k-1. 2,3-Diphosphoglycerate causes a significant increase in the keq of the formation reaction. The effects of CO and the substitution of L-glucose for D-glucose are not significant.