Hemoglobin Structure And Function Flashcards
What is special about the confirmation of myoglobin and hemoglobin ?
The confirmation of myoglobin and a single globin monomer of hemoglobin are practically superimposable
There are many similarities in the primary structure
- Approximately a fourth (25%) of all residues are identical
- That means about 75% are different amino acids
The overall fold is same for globin monomers: globin fold
Key amino acid residues are conserved and in the correct place
Describe the globin structure of myoglobin
The globin protein monomer is mostly composed of a-helix
A few bends or turns are present
Globin structure is unusual in that it is devoid of B sheet
-Most proteins are a combination of a-helix and B-sheet
Reversible binding of oxygen
What is the significance of Ferrous iron (Fe2+)?
Ferrous iron may form 6 coordination bonds
- four bonds form to the nitrogen atoms in the porphyrin ring
- One bond links to an amino acid of the globin protein
- One bond is free to reversibly bind oxygen
Iron ion is buried deep inside the globin protein
- Helps to ensure that oxygen is released as O2 - O2 entrance and exit is in a defined path
What is Hemoglobin A?
HemeA(HbA) is a pair of identical aB dimers (a2B2 tetramer)
The heme groups are widely spaced
Appreciate that there are extensive interactions between the subunits
- Hydrophobic
- Ionic
- Hydrogen bonds
4 globin monomers means that 4 O2 molecules can be carried on Hb
When is ferric ion present on heme?
Methemoglobin (metHb) contains a Fe3+ (ferric ion) in the porphyrin ring
- Fe2+ (gets oxidized) —> Fe3+
- Occurs when superoxide (O2^-1) is released instead of dioxyg; molecular oxygen (O2)
- Ferric ion is the more oxidized version of the iron atom
- Ferric ion does not bind to O2 when in heme
The remaining 3 O2 sites do not release the oxygen that is bound
-Same argument as for carbon monoxide
Therefore, MetHb does not function as an O2 carrier
What happens if superoxide is released from iron in hemoglobin?
If superoxide releases from the iron in hemoglobin, methoglobin is formed
The structure of heme binding pocket of hemoglobin is such that formation of methoglobin is minimized
Normally, methoglobin is formed at a slow rate, it is normally enzymatically reduced back back to the ferrous form
Enzyme deficiency in the pathway for converting metHb(ferric) to Hb (ferrous)
What can be used to form reluctant sand oxidants?
Reductant- methylene blue
Oxidant: excessive nitrates
Myoglobin has a higher affinity for oxygen than hemoglobin …
The oxygen dissociation curve for myoglobin is hyperbolic.
Hb binds oxygen with cooperatively so it’s dissociation curve is sigmoidal
Binding of one O2 molecule promotes binding of another O2 molecule
This is called cooperative ligand binding
Compare hemoglobin and myoglobin
Function: Hb- oxygen transport Mb- oxygen storage
Location: hemoglobin in erythrocytes Mb- muscle tissue
Tissue O2 affinity: hemoglobin- low Mb- high
Lung O2 affinity: Hb: high affinity Mb: none
O2 affinity change with pO2: Hb: yes Mb: no
Allosteric regulation: Hb: yes Mb: no
Quaternary structure: Hb: tetramer Mb: Monomer (n9t quarternary)
What happens when oxygen binds to hemoglobin?m
O2 binding to heme leads to a conformational change in hemoglobin leads
Normally the Fe ion is slightly out of plane of the heme ring
(About 0.4A, 0.04nm)
-Teeny tiny but, a big distance for a molecule
The Fe atom (ferrous) moves into the plane of the heme when it is oxygenated.
-Remember, everything is covalently bonded together
Proximal histidine and it’s associated residues are pulled along the iron ion (tugging)
-This is conformational change is transmitted to the other globin monomers in Hb
Provides a mechanism to explain the conformational change associated with oxygen binding
-Explains coorperative oxygen binding
How are the aB dimers held in the hemoglobin?
The aB dimers are held together with a stronger interaction then the dimer pairs to each other
A few ionic and hydrogen bonds occur between aB dimer pairs in the deoxygenated state.
Many interactions, primarily hydrophobic, between a and B chains form stable aB dimers.
Some ionic and hydrogen bonds between aB dimers are broken in the oxygenated states
As Hb binds oxygen, it’s oxygen affinity increases
Later, when we discuss CO poisoning, you will see that:
The terms oxy-Hb and R-state are NOT synonymous
The terms deoxyHb & T-state are synonymous
Explain the postage stamp metaphor
Two perforated edges must be torn to remove the first stamp.
-First, O2 binds with the lowest affinity
Successive stamp removal is easier as more stamps are removed
-Medium affinity O2 binding
By the end,the last stamp is free without tearing any edges
-Last O2 binds with the highest affinity
How does 2,3 BPG promote formation of taut formation
A single molecule of 2,3 BPG binds to a positively charged cavity formed by the B-chains of deoxyhemoglobin
-2,3. BPG is negatively charged Phosphate groups (PO4^3-) Carboxylate groups (COO-)
-2,3 BPG allows the formation of additional salt bridges between the aB/aB dimers
This creates a driving force for Hb to assume the deoxyHb structure (taut form)
-Promotes unloading O2 in the tissues
How does 2,3 BPG decreases Hb oxygen affinity?
Higher levels of 2,3 BPG promote oxygen release to the tissues
Decreases the affinity of Hb for oxygen
2,3 BPG is a negative allosteric effector
Promotes release of oxygen from hemoglobin
How can glycolysis effect oxygen affinity?
Partial deficiencies in glycolysis may affect the oxygen binding affinity of hemoglobin