Biomidterm II - Nov 11th Flashcards
Describe myoglobin
- Only in cardiac myocytes and skeletal muscle fibers of vertebrates
- The major function of myoglobin is to facilitate
oxygen diffusion in muscles and act as oxygen storage - Myoglobin is not essential for muscles under normal conditions
Describe the shape / size of myoglobin
- Contain 153 amino acids (sperm whale myoglobin). First protein with known X-ray structure.
- Human myoglobin contains 154 amino acids
- Contain 8 helices: A-H and short inter helices region such as CD, EF and GH
Describe the heme group of myoglobin
- Heme is a porphyrin derivative
containing four pyrrole groups
(Proline side chain is a
pyrrolidine group) - Heme occurs in many proteins:
myoglobin, hemoglobin,
neuroglobin, cytochrome c etc - Heme sits in a hydrophobic
pocket - Oxygenation alters the
electronic state of the Fe2+-
Heme complex and causes the
color change
What helps hold heme in place in the myoglobin?
- Val E11 and Phe CD1 stabilise the heme group: The amino acids Valine (Val E11) and Phenylalanine (Phe CD1) create a hydrophobic pocket that stabilises the heme within myoglobin, ensuring it stays embedded in the protein and can bind oxygen effectively.
How do you calculate for oxygen binding property of myoglobin?
How do you calculate for oxygen binding property of myoglobin as a function of partial pressure
Describe the oxygen binding curve of myoglobin
- As more oxygen gets dissolved in the blood (pO2 increases) more myoglobin are saturated (YO2 increases)
- pO2 = the amount of total oxygen in the blood that is dissolved
- k = the partial pressure of oxygen when 50% of myoglobin are saturated (have oxygen bound to their heme group)
Describe the function of hemoglobin
*Located in red blood cells
* Structurally (homologue) related to myoglobin
*But only 18% of residues are identical in myoglobin and in the alpha or beta subunits of hemoglobin
*Functions for O2 transport
Describe hemoglobin as a tetramer and its symmetry
In C₂ symmetry, there is a single axis of symmetry around which the structure can be rotated by 180 degrees to yield an identical configuration
In a binding affinity curve for hemoglobin and myoglobin:
- _____ binding curve
always shows a cooperative
binding: binding of one
ligand affects the other
ligand binding sites - _____ binding curve
always shows an
independent binding:
binding of one ligand does
not affect the other ligand
binding sites
Sigmoidal
Hyperbola
Describe the Hill equation
Describe how the Hill plot tells how hemoglobin binds the first
and the next O2 so differently
Why does hemoglobin have such a binding property?
( lower O2 concentrations, low O2 binding affinity, at higher O2
concentrations, higher O2 binding affinity )
Structure and Subunit Interaction: Haemoglobin is made up of four subunits, each containing a heme group that can bind one O₂ molecule. When one O₂ molecule binds to one of these heme groups, it causes a conformational (shape) change in the haemoglobin molecule. This structural shift increases the affinity of the remaining subunits for O₂.
Describe the T and R state of hemoglobin
Haemoglobin shifts between two key structural states to manage its oxygen-binding properties:
T State (Tense State):
- This is the low-affinity form, where haemoglobin binds oxygen weakly. It’s stabilised by salt bridges and hydrogen bonds, which create a “tense” structure resistant to oxygen binding.
- The T state predominates in low-oxygen areas like body tissues, facilitating oxygen release to meet tissue demand.
R State (Relaxed State):
- In the high-affinity R state, haemoglobin binds oxygen more readily. When one oxygen molecule binds to a haemoglobin subunit in the T state, structural changes break salt bridges, shifting the entire molecule into the R state.
- This conformation is favoured in high-oxygen environments like the lungs, where haemoglobin can fully load with oxygen for transport.
Describe the role of porphyrin in hemoglobin
- Structure: Porphyrin is a ring-shaped molecule made of four pyrrole units, holding an iron (Fe²⁺) atom at its centre.
- Oxygen Binding: The iron atom binds oxygen reversibly, allowing haemoglobin to transport oxygen in the blood.
- Stabilisation: Porphyrin stabilises the iron in its Fe²⁺ state, preventing oxidation to Fe³⁺, which cannot bind oxygen.
- Conformational Changes: When oxygen binds to iron, it induces a structural shift in haemoglobin, facilitating the transition between the T (tense) and R (relaxed) states and regulating oxygen affinity.
Describe the Changes at the alpha1-beta2 interface during
the T–>R transition in hemoglobin
How do both Both alpha and beta chains C-termini form
ion pairs
(Arg 141alpha and His 146beta)
Describe the Bohr effect
The Bohr effect is a physiological phenomenon where an increase in carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration and a decrease in pH (increased acidity) lead to a reduction in hemoglobin’s affinity for oxygen. This effect facilitates oxygen release in metabolically active tissues, where CO₂ production and acidity are high. As a result, hemoglobin delivers more oxygen to tissues that need it most, enhancing overall oxygen transport efficiency in the body.
What is the role of Bisphosphoglycerate in hemoglobin?
BPG Stabilises the T State: 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate (BPG) binds tightly to the T state of hemoglobin, occupying a specific channel and stabilising this low-affinity conformation, which shifts the equilibrium away from the high-affinity R state.
Narrowing of the Binding Channel: The binding channel for BPG in hemoglobin is much wider in the T state, allowing for effective binding, while it becomes narrower in the R state, making it difficult for BPG to bind and facilitating higher oxygen affinity.
Enhanced Oxygen Release: By stabilising the T state, BPG promotes the release of oxygen in tissues with high metabolic activity, where oxygen demand is greater, ensuring efficient oxygen delivery tailored to the physiological needs of the body.
How are O2 and CO2 transport through the blood
How many ways can CO2 be transported?
- About 7-10% of CO₂ is transported dissolved in plasma, where it remains in its molecular form.
- Approximately 20-25% of CO₂ binds to hemoglobin and other proteins, forming carbamino compounds that facilitate its transport.
- The majority, around 70-75%, is converted into bicarbonate ions through a reaction with water, allowing for efficient transport in the plasma
Describe Mutations that Alter Hb’s Structure & Function
Is there a significant overlap in between areas with sickle cell anemia and malaria? and why?
Yes, there is a significant overlap between areas affected by sickle cell anemia and malaria, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of India and the Mediterranean. This overlap exists because the sickle cell trait provides a protective advantage against malaria; individuals with the trait are less likely to suffer severe forms of the disease. As a result, the prevalence of the sickle cell trait has increased in regions where malaria is endemic, illustrating how genetic traits can evolve in response to environmental pressures.
- How many alpha-helices are there in a myoglobin protein?
- What ion does the myoglobin protein bind?
- Which amino acid holds the metal ion in the myoglobin?
- Number of α-Helices: Myoglobin contains eight α-helices (labeled A through H) that form its compact structure.
- Ion Bound by Myoglobin: Myoglobin binds an iron (Fe²⁺) ion, which is crucial for its function in oxygen binding.
- Amino Acid Holding the Metal Ion: The metal ion (iron) in myoglobin is held in place by a histidine residue, specifically the proximal histidine (His93), which coordinates directly to the iron atom in the heme group.