STUDIES ON THE HEMOGLOBIN-OXYGEN EQUILIBRIUM.

Abstract

Interrelationship between structure and function in hemoglobin was investigated with special reference to the role played by the protein moiety in the oxygenation function. An abnormal hemoglobin showed enormous functional abnormalities: 1) a marked reduction in the oxygen affinity, 2) complete absence of Bohr effect and 3) almost complete lacking of heme-heme interaction. By analogy of Hb M sub osaka to Hb H (b sub 4) in their structure and function, it was argued that normal function of hemoglobins, as expressed by strong heme-heme interaction, moderate oxygen affinity and normal Bohr effect, requires the presence of and an interaction between the two kinds of polypeptide subunit furnished with the ability of reversible oxygenation. Extent of 'hybridization' between human adult and canine hemoglobins is highly dependent upon degree of oxygenation of the hemoglobins. A non-linear relationship was found between the extent of 'hybridization' and that of oxygenation, which suggest that a non-straightforward alteration may occur in the quaternary structure of hemoglobin molecule upon the oxygen binding. Mutual ratio of the five hemoglobin fractions, was determined in five adult rats. No significant individual variation was observed for each of the five fractions in all the animals except the one in which one subcomponent was in a lowered level. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 19, 1965
Accession Number
AD0624740

Entities

People

  • Yasunori Enoki

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abnormalities
  • Hemoglobin
  • Hybridization
  • Macromolecules
  • Molecules
  • Oxygenation
  • Polymers
  • Proteins
  • Reversible

Fields of Study

  • Chemistry

Readers

  • Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
  • Theoretical Analysis.