Electron Spin Resonance Studies of the Denaturation of Oxy- and Methemoglobin

pHinfluenced metal ion coordination changes in reconstituted hemoglobin

This paper covers a detailed analysis of the coordination changes taking place at the active sites in both Cu and Ni reconstituted hemoglobin as a function of pH . These experiments provide insight into how proteins are held in their native configuration. The EPR results of CuHb reveal that the species formed in extreme acidic condition were different from those formed at extreme basic condition. At pH 3 we see an isotropic spectrum characteristic of 4-coordinated species, while at pH 12 there is an indication of equilibrium between mixtures of species. Further support for the above coordination changes is obtained from FT-Raman of NiHb at different pH conditions. At pH 3 all the 5-coordination marker bands are lost and there is a shift in the 4-coordination marker band, while at pH 12 both 4- and 5-coordination marker bands are still seen with slight shift in their positions. In addition to this, we could see a new peak at 1633 cm−1. The coordination changes as a function of pH could be seen for both CuHb and NiHb using UV-visible spectroscopic techniques.

Stability of blood carbon monoxide and hemoglobins during heating

The effects of heating on hemoglobin (Hb) and carbon monoxide (CO) levels in human blood were investigated by in vitro experiments. Head-space gas chromatography (HS-GC) using a molecular sieve 5A stationary phase and thermal conductivity detection was adopted for the measurement of CO gas, and spectrophotometric methods were used for the measurement of various Hb forms, protein and heme contents. Deteriorated absorbance spectra were observed for heat-treated blood samples, and double wavelength spectrophotometry was proven to give wrong percent saturation of carboxyhemoglobin content (% CO-Hb). The blood sample taken from one fatal fire casualty gave significantly higher % CO-Hb measured spectrophotometrically, compared to that by HS-GC. Control blood or purified Hb solution, which was saturated with CO in designated extent, was heated in a sealed vial. Under the incubation below 54 degrees C, all Hb forms were stable, except for oxyhemoglobin (Hb-O(2)), which was partially oxidized to met-hemoglobin (Met-Hb). In contrast, under the incubation at 65 degrees C, Met-Hb was denatured completely to be insoluble, and Hb-O(2) was partially denatured via Met-Hb formation. CO-Hb was resistant against heating. The difference of heat susceptibility and precipitability among Hb forms resulted in artificial increase of % CO-Hb. During heating, spontaneous CO was produced from blood.

Analysis of the interaction between monoclonal antibodies and human hemoglobin (native and cross-linked) using a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor

To develop a stable immuno-assay system for quantification of human hemoglobin (Hb), the interaction between various antibodies and Hb was studied using a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor in the BIAcore equipment (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech) with an immobilized anti-Hb antibody sensor chip. When polyclonal antibodies were used, the immuno-reactivity of purified and commercially available Hb decreased drastically with incubation times up to 14 h. This instability of immuno-reactivity of Hb is attributable to the conformational changes in Hb induced by oxidation. On the other hand, of the sixteen monoclonal antibodies tested, four antibodies (MSU-102, -103, -106 and -115) were found to maintain their immuno-reactivities at least up to 24 h. During long-term storage, however, the immuno-reactivity of Hb with these monoclonal antibodies decreased significantly. The chemical betabeta-cross-linking of Hb was effectively able to stabilize the structure of Hb and immuno-reactivity with monoclonal antibodies such as MSU-103 for periods at least up to 70 days. Therefore, the combination of specific monoclonal antibodies such as MSU-103 and a betabeta-cross-linked Hb standard could be used for the quantification of Hb.

Heat denaturation of metHb and HbNO: e.p.r. evidence for the existence of a new hemichrome

Electron paramagnetic resonance was used to follow the time dependence of heat denaturation of met- and nitrosyl-haemoglobin (metHb and HbNO) at 60 degrees C, 70 degrees C and 80 degrees C. The spectral changes of both complexes indicate that conformational changes in the protein manifest themselves in changes of the equilibrium of hemichromes in metHb and of six- and five-coordinated iron in HbNO. The formation of a hemichrome which has not been described before, with g = 2.45, 2.27 and 1.85, is observed. A His-Fe-Cys complex is proposed for its structure.

Effect of glutaraldehyde on haemoglobin: oxidation-reduction potentials and stability

Glutaraldehyde is a reagent widely used for the cross-linking of haemoglobin for use as a blood substitute. Most of the previous studies were limited to oxygen binding equilibria of the glutaraldehyde-modified haemoglobin. This paper concerns the impact of glutaraldehyde on oxidation-reduction equilibria, autoxidation kinetics and stability towards heat and urea of haemoglobin cross-linked in the oxy, deoxy and ferri states. The oxidation-reduction potentials and homotropic effects were reduced; however, the oxidation Bohr effect was not significantly different when compared with native haemoglobin. Haemoglobin immobilized in the oxy or ferri state exhibited a lower redox potential than when immobilized in the deoxy state. The autoxidation rates were increased after cross-linking, particularly at basic pH. Cross-linking stabilizes ferrihaemoglobin better than oxy or deoxyhaemoglobin against thermal- and urea-induced denaturation. Glutaraldehyde cross-linking does not stabilize haemoglobin against urea-denaturation. The experimental results were interpreted as indicating a chemical modification of the protein without 'conformation freezing' and by an opening of the haem pocket to the aqueous solvent.

The spin-state transition of the hemochrome non-equilibrium conformation in partially reduced human methemoglobin. A pulse-radiolysis study of aqueous-methanol solutions of methemoglobin

The effect of external parameters on the relaxation process of the hemochrome-type non-equilibrium conformation in partially reduced methemoglobin has been investigated. The relaxation of the intermediate ferrous low-spin state to the high-spin equilibrium conformation of hemoglobin appears to be facilitated particularly by protons and phosphate ions. In addition to studying the spin-state transition in aquomethemoglobin we have also studied it in complexes of the heme group in methemoglobin with fluoride, azide and cyanide anions.