Structure of an extracellular giant hemoglobin of the gutless beard worm Oligobrachia mashikoi

Structural Expansion of Catalytic RNA Nanostructures through Oligomerization of a Cyclic Trimer of Engineered Ribozymes

The multimolecular assembly of three-dimensionally structured proteins forms their quaternary structures, some of which have high geometric symmetry. The size and complexity of protein quaternary structures often increase in a hierarchical manner, with simpler, smaller structures serving as units for larger quaternary structures. In this study, we exploited oligomerization of a ribozyme cyclic trimer to achieve larger ribozyme-based RNA assembly. By installing kissing loop (KL) interacting units to one-, two-, or three-unit RNA molecules in the ribozyme trimer, we constructed dimers, open-chain oligomers, and branched oligomers of ribozyme trimer units. One type of open-chain oligomer preferentially formed a closed tetramer containing 12 component RNAs to provide 12 ribozyme units. We also observed large assembly of ribozyme trimers, which reached 1000 nm in size.

Adaptation to the shallow sea floor environment of a species of marine worms, Oligobrachia mashikoi, generally inhabiting deep-sea water

Beard worms from the family Siboglinidae, are peculiar animals and are known for their symbiotic relationships with sulfur bacteria. Most Siboglinids inhabit the deep-sea floor, thus making difficult to make any observations in situ. One species, Oligobrachia mashikoi, occurs in the shallow depths (24.5 m) of the Sea of Japan. Taking advantage of its shallow-water habitat, the first ecological survey of O. mashikoi was performed over a course of 7 years, which revealed that its tentacle-expanding behavior was dependent on the temperature and illuminance of the sea water. Furthermore, there were significantly more O. mashikoi with expanding tentacles during the nighttime than during the daytime, and the prevention of light eliminated these differences in the number of expending tentacles. These results confirmed that the tentacle-expanding behavior is controlled by environmental light signals. Consistent with this, we identified a gene encoding a photoreceptor molecule, neuropsin, in O. mashikoi, and the expression thereof is dependent on the time of day. We assume that the described behavioral response of O. mashikoi to light signals represent an adaptation to a shallow-water environment within the predominantly deep-sea taxon.

Structure-Function Relationships of Oxygen Transport Proteins in Marine Invertebrates Enduring Higher Temperatures and Deoxygenation

AbstractPredictions for climate change-to lesser and greater extents-reveal a common scenario in which marine waters are characterized by a deadly trio of stressors: higher temperatures, lower oxygen levels, and acidification. Ectothermic taxa that inhabit coastal waters, such as shellfish, are vulnerable to rapid and prolonged environmental disturbances, such as heatwaves, pollution-induced eutrophication, and dysoxia. Oxygen transport capacity of the hemolymph (blood equivalent) is considered the proximal driver of thermotolerance and respiration in many invertebrates. Moreover, maintaining homeostasis under environmental duress is inextricably linked to the activities of the hemolymph-based oxygen transport or binding proteins. Several protein groups fulfill this role in marine invertebrates: copper-based extracellular hemocyanins, iron-based intracellular hemoglobins and hemerythrins, and giant extracellular hemoglobins. In this brief text, we revisit the distribution and multifunctional properties of oxygen transport proteins, notably hemocyanins, in the context of climate change, and the consequent physiological reprogramming of marine invertebrates.

Structures of oxygen dissociation intermediates of 400 kDa V2 hemoglobin provide coarse snapshots of the protein allostery

Ever since the historic discovery of the cooperative oxygenation of its multiple subunits, hemoglobin (Hb) has been among the most exhaustively studied allosteric proteins. However, the lack of structural information on the intermediates between oxygenated and deoxygenated forms prevents our detailed understanding of the molecular mechanism of its allostery. It has been difficult to prepare crystals of intact oxy-deoxy intermediates and to individually identify the oxygen saturation for each subunit. However, our recent crystallographic studies have demonstrated that giant Hbs from annelids are suitable for overcoming these problems and can provide abundant information on oxy-deoxy intermediate structures. Here, we report the crystal structures of oxy-deoxy intermediates of a 400 kDa Hb (V2Hb) from the annelid Lamellibrachia satsuma, following up on a series of previous studies of similar giant Hbs. Four intermediate structures had average oxygen saturations of 78%, 69%, 55%, and 26%, as determined by the occupancy refinement of the bound oxygen based on ambient temperature factors. The structures demonstrate that the cooperative oxygen dissociation is weaker, large ternary and quaternary changes are induced at a later stage of the oxygen dissociation process, and the ternary and quaternary changes are smaller with local perturbations. Nonetheless, the overall structural transition seemed to proceed in the manner of the MWC two-state model. Our crystallographic snapshots of the allosteric transition of V2Hb provide important experimental evidence for a more detailed understanding of the allostery of Hbs by extension of the Monod–Wyman–Changeux (MWC) model.

Coarse snapshots of oxygen-dissociation intermediates of a giant hemoglobin elucidated by determining the oxygen saturation in individual subunits in the crystalline state

Cooperative oxygen binding of hemoglobin (Hb) has been studied for over half a century as a representative example of the allostericity of proteins. The most important problem remaining to be solved is the lack of structural information on the intermediates between the oxygenated and deoxygenated forms. In order to characterize the intermediate structures, it is necessary to obtain intermediate-state crystals, determine their oxygen saturations and then determine the oxygen saturations of each of their constituent subunits, all of which are challenging issues even now. Here, intermediate forms of the 400 kDa giant Hb from the tubeworm Oligobrachia mashikoi are reported. To overcome the above problems without any artificial modifications to the protein or prosthetic groups, intermediate crystals of the giant Hb were prepared from fully oxygenated crystals by a soaking method. The oxygen saturation of the crystals was measured by in situ observation with a microspectrophotometer using thin plate crystals processed by an ultraviolet laser to avoid saturation of absorption. The oxygen saturation of each subunit was determined by occupancy refinement of the bound oxygen based on ambient temperature factors. The obtained structures reveal the detailed relationship between the structural transition and oxygen dissociation. The dimer subassembly of the giant Hb shows strong correlation with the local structural changes at the heme pockets. Although some local ternary-structural changes occur in the early stages of the structural transition, the associated global ternary-structural and quaternary-structural changes might arise at about 50% oxygen saturation. The models based on coarse snapshots of the allosteric transition support the conventional two-state model of Hbs and provide the missing pieces of the intermediate structures that are required for full understanding of the allosteric nature of Hbs in detail.

Possible Roles of Hypotaurine and Thiotaurine in the Vesicomyid Clam Phreagena okutanii

AbstractVesicomyid clams, which inhabit deep-sea hydrothermal vents and hydrocarbon seeps, are nutritionally dependent on symbiotic, chemoautotrophic bacteria that produce organic matter by using hydrogen sulfide. Vesicomyid clams absorb hydrogen sulfide from the foot and transport it in their hemolymph to symbionts in the gill. However, mechanisms to cope with hydrogen sulfide toxicity are not fully understood. Previous studies on vent-specific invertebrates, including bathymodiolin mussels, suggest that hypotaurine, a precursor of taurine, mitigates hydrogen sulfide toxicity by binding it to bisulfide ion, so as to synthesize thiotaurine. In this study, we cloned cDNAs from the vesicomyid clam Phreagena okutanii for the taurine transporter that transports hypotaurine into cells and for cysteine dioxygenase and cysteine-sulfinate decarboxylase, major enzymes involved in hypotaurine synthesis. Results of reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction indicate that mRNAs of these three genes are most abundant in the foot, followed by the gill. However, hypotaurine and thiotaurine levels, measured by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, were low in the foot and high in the gill. In addition, thiotaurine was detected in hemolymph cells. Hypotaurine synthesized in the foot may be transported to the gill after binding to bisulfide ion, possibly by hemolymph cells.

Oligomeric stability of Glossoscolex paulistus hemoglobin as a function of the storage time

Glossoscolex paulistus hemoglobin structure is composed of 144 globin chains and 36 polypeptide chains lacking the heme group, with a total molecular mass of 3600 kDa. The current study focuses on the oxy-HbGp oligomeric stability, as a function of the storage time, at pH 7.0, using dynamic light scattering, analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC), optical absorption and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). HbGp stored in Tris-HCl buffer, pH 7.0, at 4 °C, for two years remains in the native form, while 4-6 years HbGp stocks present typical hemichrome species absorption spectra. AUC and SEC analyses show that the contribution of HbGp-subunits, such as, dodecamer (abcd)₃, tetramer abcd, trimer abc and monomer d, increases with the protein aging due to the lower stability of the HbGp with the time. The dissociation and the oxidation of the iron noted for the older protein solutions indicate that HbGp storage for periods of time longer than two years changes its ability to carry oxygen. Despite the reduction of HbGp stability and oxygen carrying capacity with aging, the protein stability is still larger as compared to mammalian hemoglobins. Thus, the extracellular hemoglobins are quite stable and resistant to the auto-oxidation process, making them of interest for biotechnological applications.

Direct comparison of oligochaete erythrocruorins as potential blood substitutes

While many blood substitutes are based on mammalian hemoglobins (e.g., human hemoglobin, HbA), the naturally extracellular hemoglobins of invertebrates (a.k.a. erythrocruorins, Ecs) are intriguing alternative oxygen carriers. Specifically, the erythrocruorin of Lumbricus terrestris has been shown to effectively deliver oxygen in mice and rats without the negative side effects observed with HbA. In this study, the properties of six oligochaete Ecs (Lumbricus terrestris, Eisenia hortensis, Eisenia fetida, Eisenia veneta, Eudrilus eugeniae, and Amynthas gracilis) were compared in vitro to identify the most promising blood substitute candidate(s). Several metrics were used to compare the Ecs, including their oxidation rates, dissociation at physiological pH, thermal stability, and oxygen transport characteristics. Overall, the Ecs of Lumbricus terrestris (LtEc) and Eisenia fetida (EfEc) were identified as promising candidates, since they demonstrated high thermal and oligomeric stability, while also exhibiting relatively low oxidation rates. Interestingly, the O₂ affinity of LtEc (P₅₀ = 26.25 mmHg at 37 °C) was also observed to be uniquely lower than EfEc and all of the other Ecs (P₅₀ = 9.29–13.62 mmHg). Subsequent alignment of the primary sequences of LtEc and EfEc revealed several significant amino acid substitutions within the D subunit interfaces that may be responsible for this significant change in O₂ affinity. Nonetheless, these results show that LtEc and EfEc are promising potential blood substitutes that are resistant to oxidation and denaturation, but additional experiments will need to be conducted to determine their safety, efficacy, and the effects of their disparate oxygen affinities in vivo.

Evolution of Sulfur Binding by Hemoglobin in Siboglinidae (Annelida) with Special Reference to Bone-Eating Worms, Osedax

Most members of Siboglinidae (Annelida) harbor endosymbiotic bacteria that allow them to thrive in extreme environments such as hydrothermal vents, methane seeps, and whale bones. These symbioses are enabled by specialized hemoglobins (Hbs) that are able to bind hydrogen sulfide for transportation to their chemosynthetic endosymbionts. Sulfur-binding capabilities are hypothesized to be due to cysteine residues at key positions in both vascular and coelomic Hbs, especially in the A2 and B2 chains. Members of the genus Osedax, which live on whale bones, do not have chemosynthetic endosymbionts, but instead harbor heterotrophic bacteria capable of breaking down complex organic compounds. Although sulfur-binding capabilities are important in other siboglinids, we questioned whether Osedax retained these cysteine residues and the potential ability to bind hydrogen sulfide. To answer these questions, we used high-throughput DNA sequencing to isolate and analyze Hb sequences from 8 siboglinid lineages. For Osedax mucofloris, we recovered three (A1, A2, and B1) Hb chains, but the B2 chain was not identified. Hb sequences from gene subfamilies A2 and B2 were translated and aligned to determine conservation of cysteine residues at previously identified key positions. Hb linker sequences were also compared to determine similarity between Osedax and siboglinids/sulfur-tolerant annelids. For O. mucofloris, our results found conserved cysteines within the Hb A2 chain. This finding suggests that Hb in O. mucofloris has retained some capacity to bind hydrogen sulfide, likely due to the need to detoxify this chemical compound that is abundantly produced within whale bones.

The structure of the giant haemoglobin from Glossoscolex paulistus

The sequences of all seven polypeptide chains from the giant haemoglobin of the free-living earthworm Glossoscolex paulistus (HbGp) are reported together with the three-dimensional structure of the 3.6 MDa complex which they form. The refinement of the full particle, which has been solved at 3.2 Å resolution, the highest resolution reported to date for a hexagonal bilayer haemoglobin composed of 12 protomers, is reported. This has allowed a more detailed description of the contacts between subunits which are essential for particle stability. Interpretation of features in the electron-density maps suggests the presence of metal-binding sites (probably Zn(2+) and Ca(2+)) and glycosylation sites, some of which have not been reported previously. The former appear to be important for the integrity of the particle. The crystal structure of the isolated d chain (d-HbGp) at 2.1 Å resolution shows different interchain contacts between d monomers compared with those observed in the full particle. Instead of forming trimers, as seen in the complex, the isolated d chains associate to form dimers across a crystallographic twofold axis. These observations eliminate the possibility that trimers form spontaneously in solution as intermediates during the formation of the dodecameric globin cap and contribute to understanding of the possible ways in which the particle self-assembles.

The structure of a deoxygenated 400 kDa haemoglobin reveals ternary- and quaternary-structural changes of giant haemoglobins

The quaternary structures of invertebrate haemoglobins (Hbs) are quite different from those of vertebrate Hbs. The extracellular giant Hbs of molecular masses of about 400 and 3600 kDa are composed of a dome-shaped dodecameric subassembly which consists of four individual globin subunits. Several crystal structures of 400 kDa Hbs from annelids have been reported, including structures in oxygenated and partially unliganded states, but the structure of the fully deoxygenated state has not been reported. In the present study, crystal structures of V2Hb from the tube worm Lamellibrachia satsuma have been determined in both the fully oxygenated and deoxygenated states. A glycosylation site and novel metal-binding sites for divalent cations were clearly observed with no intersubunit interactions in V2Hb. A comparison of the oxygenated and the deoxygenated forms of V2Hb reveals that the ternary- and quaternary-structural changes occur in a manner that maintains the molecular D3 symmetry. These structures suggest that the mechanisms of quaternary-structural changes between the oxy and deoxy states for the giant Hbs are identical across species.

Hydrogen sulfide activation in hemeproteins: the sulfheme scenario

Traditionally known as a toxic gas, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is now recognized as an important biological molecule involved in numerous physiological functions. Like nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO), H2S is produced endogenously in tissues and cells and can modulate biological processes by acting on target proteins. For example, interaction of H2S with the oxygenated form of human hemoglobin and myoglobin produces a sulfheme protein complex that has been implicated in H2S degradation. The presence of this sulfheme derivative has also been used as a marker for endogenous H2S synthesis and metabolism. Remarkably, human catalases and peroxidases also generate this sulfheme product. In this review, we describe the structural and functional aspects of the sulfheme derivative in these proteins and postulate a generalized mechanism for sulfheme protein formation. We also evaluate the possible physiological function of this complex and highlight the issues that remain to be assessed to determine the role of sulfheme proteins in H2S metabolism, detection and physiology.

Tertiary and quaternary effects in the allosteric regulation of animal hemoglobins

In the last decade, protein allostery has experienced a major resurgence, boosted by the extension of the concept to systems of increasing complexity and by its exploitation for the development of drugs. Expansion of the field into new directions has not diminished the key role of hemoglobin as a test molecule for theory and experimental validation of allosteric models. Indeed, the diffusion of hemoglobins in all kingdoms of life and the variety of functions and of quaternary assemblies based on a common tertiary fold indicate that this superfamily of proteins is ideally suited for investigating the physical and molecular basis of allostery and firmly maintains its role as a main player in the field. This review is an attempt to briefly recollect common and different strategies adopted by metazoan hemoglobins, from monomeric molecules to giant complexes, exploiting homotropic and heterotropic allostery to increase their functional dynamic range. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Oxygen Binding and Sensing Proteins.

Distribution and Population of Free-Living Cells Related to Endosymbiont A Harbored in Oligobrachia mashikoi (a Siboglinid Polychaete) Inhabiting Tsukumo Bay

Beard worms (Siboglinidae, Polychaeta), which lack a mouth and a digestive tract, harbor thioautotrophic or methanotrophic bacteria in special cells called bacteriocytes. These endosymbionts have been considered to be trapped at a specific larval stage from the environment. Although many species of beard worms have been discovered in various abyssal seas, Oligobrachia mashikoi inhabits Tsukumo Bay which is only 25 m deep. At least seven types of endosymbionts (endosymbiont A-G) have been distinguished in O. mashikoi. In this study, we investigated the distribution pattern of free-living cells related to the major endosymbiont (endosymbiont A) in Tsukumo Bay by quantitative PCR targeting the 16S rRNA gene. The endosymbiont A-related phylotype was detected in almost all sediment samples collected from 23 points in Tsukumo Bay, ranging in copy number of the 16S rRNA gene from 2.22×10(4) to 1.42×10(6) copies per gram of dry-sediment. Furthermore, the free-living cells made up less than 9% of the total eubacterial population, suggesting that the O. mashikoi larvae precisely select candidates for their endosymbiont from bacterial flora in the environment. This is the first report on the ecological characterization of a free-living bacterium related to the endosymbiont of the siboglinid polychaete, O. mashikoi.

Ligand changes in ferric species of the giant extracellular hemoglobin ofGlossoscolex paulistusas function of pH: correlations between redox, spectroscopic and oligomeric properties and general implications with different hemoproteins

The present review is focused on the relationship between oligomeric and heme properties of HbGp, emphasizing the characteristics that can be generalized to other hemoproteins. This study represents the state-of-the-art with respect to the approaches for investigating giant extracellular hemoglobins as well as the correlation between oligomeric assembly alterations and their consequent changes in the first coordination sphere. A wide introduction focused on the properties of this hemoglobin is developed. Indeed, this hemoprotein is considered an interesting prototype of blood substitute and biosensor due to its peculiar properties, such as resistance to autoxidation and oligomeric stability. Previous studies by our group employing UV-vis, EPR and CD spectroscopies have been revised in a complete approach, in agreement with recent and relevant data from the literature. In fact, a consistent and inter-related spectroscopic study is described propitiating a wide assignment of "fingerprint" peaks found in the techniques evaluated in this paper. This review furnishes physicochemical information regarding the identification of ferric heme species of hemoproteins and metallic complexes through their spectroscopic bands. This effort at the attribution of UV-vis, EPR and CD peaks is not restricted to HbGp, and includes a comparative analysis of several hemoproteins involving relevant implications regarding several types of iron-porphyrin systems.

Biophysical Properties of Lumbricus terrestris Erythrocruorin and Its Potential Use as a Red Blood Cell Substitute

Previous generations of hemoglobin (Hb)-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) have been plagued by key biophysical limitations that result in severe side-effects once transfused in vivo, including protein instability, high heme oxidation rates, and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging. All of these problems emerge after mammalian Hbs are removed from red blood cells (RBCs) and used for HBOC synthesis/formulation. Therefore, extracellular Hbs (erythrocruorins) from organisms which lack RBCs might serve as better HBOCs. This review focuses on the erythrocruorin of Lumbricus terrestris (LtEc), which has been shown to be extremely stable, resistant to oxidation, and may interact with NO differently than mammalian Hbs. All of these beneficial properties show that LtEc is a promising new HBOC which warrants further investigation.

Sulfur metabolisms in epsilon- and gamma-proteobacteria in deep-sea hydrothermal fields

In deep-sea hydrothermal systems, super hot and reduced vent fluids from the subseafloor blend with cold and oxidized seawater. Very unique and dense ecosystems are formed within these environments. Many molecular ecological studies showed that chemoautotrophic epsilon- and gamma-Proteobacteria are predominant primary producers in both free-living and symbiotic microbial communities in global deep-sea hydrothermal fields. Inorganic sulfur compounds are important substrates for the energy conservative metabolic pathways in these microorganisms. Recent genomic and metagenomic analyses and biochemical studies have contributed to the understanding of potential sulfur metabolic pathways for these chemoautotrophs. Epsilon-Proteobacteria use sulfur compounds for both electron-donors and -acceptors. On the other hand, gamma-Proteobacteria utilize two different sulfur-oxidizing pathways. It is hypothesized that differences between the metabolic pathways used by these two predominant proteobacterial phyla are associated with different ecophysiological strategies; extending the energetically feasible habitats with versatile energy metabolisms in the epsilon-Proteobacteria and optimizing energy production rate and yield for relatively narrow habitable zones in the gamma-Proteobacteria.

Hydrosulfide (HS-) coordination in iron porphyrinates

Recent reports of potential physiological roles of hydrogen sulfide have prompted interest in heme-sulfide interactions. Heme-H(2)S and/or heme-HS(-) interactions could potentially occur during endogenous production, transport, signaling events, and catabolism of H(2)S. We have investigated the interaction of the hydrosulfide ion (HS(-)) with iron porphyrinates. UV-vis spectral studies show the formation of [Fe(Por)(SH)](-), [Fe(Por)(SH)(2)](2-), and the mixed-ligand species [Fe(Por)(Im)(SH)](-). UV-vis binding studies of [Fe(OEP)] and [Fe(T-p-OMePP)] (OEP = octaethylporphyrinate; T-p-OMePP = tetra-p-methoxyphenylporphyrinate) with HS(-) allowed for calculation of the formation constants and extinction coefficients of mono- and bis-HS(-) complexes. We report the synthesis of the first HS(-)-bound iron(II) porphyrin compounds, [Na(222)][Fe(OEP)(SH)].0.5C(6)H(6) and [Na(222)][Fe(T-p-OMePP)(SH)].C(6)H(5)Cl (222 = Kryptofix-222). Characterization by single-crystal X-ray analysis, mass spectrometry, and Mossbauer and IR spectroscopy is all consistent with that of known sulfur-bound high-spin iron(II) compounds. The Fe-S distances of 2.3929(5) and 2.3887(13) A are longer than all reported values of [Fe(II)(Por)(SR)](-) species. An analysis of the porphyrin nonplanarity for these derivatives and for all five-coordinate high-spin iron(II) porphyrinate derivatives with an axial anion ligand is presented. In our hands, attempts to synthesize iron(III) HS(-) derivatives led to iron(II) species.

Structural characterization of hemoglobins from Monilifera and Frenulata tubeworms (Siboglinids): first discovery of giant hexagonal-bilayer hemoglobin in the former "Pogonophora" group

Siboglinids are symbiotic polychete annelids having hemoglobins as essential oxygen- and sulfide-carriers for their endosymbiotic bacteria. We analyzed the structure of the hemoglobins from two species of siboglinids: the monilifera Sclerolinum contortum and the frenulata Oligobrachia webbi (i.e. haakonmosbiensis) from Norwegian cold seeps. Measured by Multi-Angle Laser Light Scattering (MALLS), Sclerolinum shows a 3190+/-50 kDa hexagonal bilayer hemoglobin (HBL-Hb) and a 461+/-46 kDa ring-Hb, just as vestimentifera, whereas Oligobrachia has a 409+/-3.7 kDa ring-Hb only. Electrospray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS) showed Sclerolinum HBL-Hb composed of seven monomeric globins (15-16 kDa), three disulfide-bonded globin heterodimers and three linkers. The heterodimers always contain globin-b (15814.4+/-1.5 Da). Sclerolinum ring-Hb is composed of globins and dimers with identical masses as its HBL-Hb, but lacks linkers. Oligobrachia ring-Hb has three globin monomers (14-15 kDa) only, with no disulfide-bonded dimers. Comparison of Sclerolinum hemoglobins between Storegga and Haakon Mosby Mud Volcano, using the normalized height of deconvoluted ESI-MS peaks, shows differences in globin monomers abundances that could reflect genetic differences or differential gene expression between distinct seep populations. The discovery of HBL-Hb in Sclerolinum is a new element supporting the hypothesis of monilifera being phylogenetically more closely related to vestimentifera, than to frenulata.

Direct evidence that extracellular giant hemoglobin is produced in chloragogen tissues in a beard worm, Oligobrachia mashikoi (Frenulata, Siboglinidae, Annelida)

In Oligobrachia mashikoi, a mouthless and gutless polychaete known as a beard worm, sites of production of extra-cellular giant hemoglobin were examined with whole-mount in-situ hybridization and semi-quantitative RT-PCR. An RNA probe was prepared from mRNA of the A2-globin subunit. Clear signals were obtained from a peritoneal membrane covering the trophosome in the posterior body in all seven individuals examined in this study. In addition, weak signals were observed in the peritoneal membrane covering tissues in the middle part of the body in some individuals. Furthermore, in one individual, signals were obtained in complicated bodies invaginated into the dorsal vessel from a peritoneal membrane that also released signals. The results of RT-PCR regarding the expression levels of four kinds of globin-subunit genes suggest that the main site of hemoglobin production is the peritoneal membrane in the posterior body.

Structural basis for the heterotropic and homotropic interactions of invertebrate giant hemoglobin

The oxygen binding properties of extracellular giant hemoglobins (Hbs) in some annelids exhibit features significantly different from those of vertebrate tetrameric Hbs. Annelid giant Hbs show cooperative oxygen binding properties in the presence of inorganic cations, while the cooperativities of vertebrate Hbs are enhanced by small organic anions or chloride ions. To elucidate the structural basis for the cation-mediated cooperative mechanisms of these giant Hbs, we determined the crystal structures of Ca2+- and Mg2+-bound Hbs from Oligobrachia mashikoi at 1.6 and 1.7 A resolution, respectively. Both of the metal-bound structures were determined in the oxygenated state. Four Ca2+-binding sites and one Mg2+-binding site were identified in each tetramer subassembly. These cations are considered to stabilize the oxygenated form and increase affinity and cooperativity for oxygen binding, as almost all of the Ca2+ and Mg2+ cations were bound at the interface regions, forming either direct or hydrogen bond-mediated interactions with the neighboring subunits. A comparison of the structures of the oxygenated form and the partially unliganded form provides structural insight into proton-coupled cooperativity (Bohr effect) and ligand-induced transitions. Two histidine residues are assumed to be primarily associated with the Bohr effect. With regard to the ligand-induced cooperativity, a novel quaternary rotation mechanism is proposed to exist at the interface region of the dimer subassembly. Interactions among conserved residues Arg E10, His F3, Gln F7, and Val E11, together with the bending motion of the heme molecules, appear to be essential for quaternary rearrangement.

Oxygenation properties of extracellular giant hemoglobin from Oligobrachia mashikoi

Oxygenation properties of hemoglobin (Hb) from Oligobrachia mashikoi were extensively investigated. Compared to human Hb, Oligobrachia Hb showed a high oxygen affinity (P(50)=1.4 mmHg), low cooperativity (n =1.4), and a small Bohr effect (deltaH(+)=-0.28) at pH 7.4 in the presence of minimum salts. Addition of NaCl caused no change in the oxygenation properties of Oligobrachia Hb, indicating that Na(+) and Cl(-) had no effect. Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) remarkably increased the oxygen affinity and cooperativity. The dependence of the oxygen affinity on Ca(2+) concentration indicated that ca. 0.6 Ca(2+) per heme is bound to the protein moiety upon oxygen binding. CO(2) and a polyanion, inositol hexaphosphate, showed a null effect on the oxygenation properties. Thus, unlike the vertebrate Hbs, but like the annelid extracellular Hbs, the oxygen binding properties of Oligobrachia Hb are regulated by divalent cations which preferentially bind to the oxy form.

Environmental differences in hemoglobin gene expression in the hydrothermal vent tubeworm, Ridgeia piscesae

Ridgeia piscesae, the siboglinid tubeworm inhabiting the hydrothermal vents of the northeast Pacific Juan de Fuca Ridge, displays a wide range of microhabitat-specific, genetically indistinguishable phenotypes. Local microhabitat conditions are hypothesized to play a role in the differentiation of R. piscesae phenotypes. Extracellular hemoglobins serve to connect the tubeworm and the surrounding vent fluid, binding environmental sulfide and oxygen for transport to endosymbionts that use the chemical energy for carbon fixation. Because hemoglobin is essential for this symbiosis, we examined its expression in two of the most extreme R. piscesae phenotypes at two levels: the mRNA encoding the globin subunits and the whole molecules in coelomic and vascular fluids. Levels of gene expression were up to 12 times greater in short-fat R. piscesae from higher temperature, sulfide chimney environments compared to long-skinny animals from a low temperature, diffuse flow basalt habitat. Gene expression levels were consistent with the relative concentrations of hemoglobin molecules in the vascular and coelomic fluids. Up to a 20-fold variation in globin gene expression was detected between the same phenotype from different sites. These data demonstrate that local environmental factors influence not only phenotype but gene expression and its resulting physiological outcome within this unique species.

The multigenic family of the extracellular hemoglobin from the annelid polychaete Arenicola marina

The extracellular hemoglobin of the lugworm Arenicola marina which inhabits on the intertidal area, a sulfide-rich environment, comprises eight globin chains previously determined by mass spectrometry. We have cloned and sequenced five of the globin components. The deduced amino-acid sequences exhibit an extracellular signal peptide and two cysteine residues involved in an internal disulfide bond. The molecular weights calculated from the globin primary structures obtained from complete cDNA sequences are in good agreement with the mass spectrometry values obtained with the native hemoglobin. Phylogenetic analysis has allowed assigning the five A. marina sequences to the different globin sub-families. Two of the globins were found to be A2 globin chains lacking the cysteine residues proposed to be involved in the binding of hydrogen sulfide by such hemoglobin. We discuss the unusual absence of these cysteines in the light of their invariant occurrence in the A2 subfamily of hemoglobins from annelids inhabiting sulfide-rich environments.

Lumbricus Erythrocruorin at 3.5 Å Resolution: Architecture of a Megadalton Respiratory Complex

Annelid erythrocruorins are highly cooperative extracellular respiratory proteins with molecular masses on the order of 3.6 million Daltons. We report here the 3.5 A crystal structure of erythrocruorin from the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris. This structure reveals details of symmetrical and quasi-symmetrical interactions that dictate the self-limited assembly of 144 hemoglobin and 36 linker subunits. The linker subunits assemble into a core complex with D(6) symmetry onto which 12 hemoglobin dodecamers bind to form the entire complex. Although the three unique linker subunits share structural similarity, their interactions with each other and the hemoglobin subunits display striking diversity. The observed diversity includes design features that have been incorporated into the linker subunits and may be critical for efficient assembly of large quantities of this complex respiratory protein.