Anisotropy and temperature dependence of myoglobin translational diffusion in myocardium: implication for oxygen transport and cellular architecture

Oxygen flux from capillary to mitochondria: integration of contemporary discoveries

Resting humans transport ~ 100 quintillion (10¹⁸) oxygen (O₂) molecules every second to tissues for consumption. The final, short distance (< 50 µm) from capillary to the most distant mitochondria, in skeletal muscle where exercising O₂ demands may increase 100-fold, challenges our understanding of O₂ transport. To power cellular energetics O₂ reaches its muscle mitochondrial target by dissociating from hemoglobin, crossing the red cell membrane, plasma, endothelial surface layer, endothelial cell, interstitial space, myocyte sarcolemma and a variable expanse of cytoplasm before traversing the mitochondrial outer/inner membranes and reacting with reduced cytochrome c and protons. This past century our understanding of O₂'s passage across the body's final O₂ frontier has been completely revised. This review considers the latest structural and functional data, challenging the following entrenched notions: (1) That O₂ moves freely across blood cell membranes. (2) The Krogh-Erlang model whereby O₂ pressure decreases systematically from capillary to mitochondria. (3) Whether intramyocyte diffusion distances matter. (4) That mitochondria are separate organelles rather than coordinated and highly plastic syncytia. (5) The roles of free versus myoglobin-facilitated O₂ diffusion. (6) That myocytes develop anoxic loci. These questions, and the intriguing notions that (1) cellular membranes, including interconnected mitochondrial membranes, act as low resistance conduits for O₂, lipids and H⁺-electrochemical transport and (2) that myoglobin oxy/deoxygenation state controls mitochondrial oxidative function via nitric oxide, challenge established tenets of muscle metabolic control. These elements redefine muscle O₂ transport models essential for the development of effective therapeutic countermeasures to pathological decrements in O₂ supply and physical performance.

Energy metabolism design of the striated muscle cell

The design of the energy metabolism system in striated muscle remains a major area of investigation. Here, we review our current understanding and emerging hypotheses regarding the metabolic support of muscle contraction. Maintenance of ATP free energy, so called energy homeostasis, via mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation is critical to sustained contractile activity, and this major design criterion is the focus of this review. Cell volume invested in mitochondria reduces the space available for generating contractile force, and this spatial balance between mitochondria acontractile elements to meet the varying sustained power demands across muscle types is another important design criterion. This is accomplished with remarkably similar mass-specific mitochondrial protein composition across muscle types, implying that it is the organization of mitochondria within the muscle cell that is critical to supporting sustained muscle function. Beyond the production of ATP, ubiquitous distribution of ATPases throughout the muscle requires rapid distribution of potential energy across these large cells. Distribution of potential energy has long been thought to occur primarily through facilitated metabolite diffusion, but recent analysis has questioned the importance of this process under normal physiological conditions. Recent structural and functional studies have supported the hypothesis that the mitochondrial reticulum provides a rapid energy distribution system via the conduction of the mitochondrial membrane potential to maintain metabolic homeostasis during contractile activity. We extensively review this aspect of the energy metabolism design contrasting it with metabolite diffusion models and how mitochondrial structure can play a role in the delivery of energy in the striated muscle.

Differential Interaction of Myoglobin with Select Fatty Acids of Carbon Chain Lengths C8 to C16

Previous studies have shown that palmitic acid (PAM) and oleic acid (OLE) can bind myoglobin (Mb). How fatty acids (FA) with different carbon chain lengths and sulfate substitution interact with Mb remains uncertain. Indeed, C8:0 and C10:0 fatty acids do not perturb the intensities of the ¹H-NMR MbCN signal intensity at FA:Mb ratios below 2:1. Starting with C12:0, C12:0-C16:0, FA induce a noticeable spectral change. C12:0 and C14:0 FA affect both the 5- and 8-heme methyl signals, whereas the C16:0 FA perturbs only the 8-heme methyl signal. All C12:0-C16:0 saturated FA induce upfield shifts in the -CH₂ peak of different FA in the presence of Mb. Increasing the apparent solubility with a sulfate group substitution enhances the FA interaction of lauric sulfate (LAU 1-SO₄) but not palmitate sulfate acid (PAM 1-SO₄). The detergent (DET) property of FA has no significant contribution. Common positive, neutral, and negative DET at DET:Mb ratio of 1:1 induce no perturbation of the MbCN spectra. The experiment observations establish a basis to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the FA interaction with Mb.

Effect of fatty acid interaction on myoglobin oxygen affinity and triglyceride metabolism

Recent studies have suggested myoglobin (Mb) may have other cellular functions in addition to storing and transporting O₂. Indeed, NMR experiments have shown that the saturated fatty acid (FA) palmitate (PA) can interact with myoglobin (Mb) in its ligated state (MbCO and MbCN) but does not interact with Mb in its deoxygenated state. The observation has led to the hypothesis that Mb can also serve as a fatty acid transporter. The present study further investigates fatty acid interaction with the physiological states of Mb using the more soluble but unsaturated fatty acid, oleic acid (OA). OA binds to MbCO but does not bind to deoxy Mb. OA binding to Mb, however, does not alter its O₂ affinity. Without any Mb, muscle has a significantly lower level of triglyceride (TG). In Mb knock-out (MbKO) mice, both heart and skeletal muscles have lower level of TG relative to the control mice. Training further decreases the relative TG in the MbKO skeletal muscle. Nevertheless, the absence of Mb and lower TG level in muscle does not impair the MbKO mouse performance as evidenced by voluntary wheel running measurements. The results support the hypothesis of a complex physiological role for Mb, especially with respect to fatty acid metabolism.

Interaction of myoglobin with oleic acid

Previous studies have shown that palmitate (PA) can interact with myoglobin (Mb). The present study has investigated the interaction of the more soluble unsaturated fatty acid, oleic acid (OA). Indeed, (1)H NMR measurements of the Mb signal during OA titration also show signal changes consistent with specific and non-specific binding. At OA:Mb ratio<4:1, OA perturbs selectively the 8-heme methyl signal, consistent with a local and specific fatty acid-protein interaction. As OA:Mb ratio increases from 4:1 to 40:1, all hyperfine shifted MbCN signals decrease, consistent with a non-selective, global perturbation of the protein. The pH titration analysis indicates that the observed OA methylene signal in the presence of Mb reflects a non-specific interaction and does not originate from a shift in the lamella-micelle equilibrium. Given the OA interaction with Mb, a fatty acid flux model suggests that Mb can play a fatty acid transport role under certain physiological conditions.

Myoglobin oxygen affinity in aquatic and terrestrial birds and mammals

Myoglobin (Mb) is an oxygen binding protein found in vertebrate skeletal muscle, where it facilitates intracellular transport and storage of oxygen. This protein has evolved to suit unique physiological needs in the muscle of diving vertebrates that express Mb at much greater concentrations than their terrestrial counterparts. In this study, we characterized Mb oxygen affinity (P50) from 25 species of aquatic and terrestrial birds and mammals. Among diving species, we tested for correlations between Mb P50 and routine dive duration. Across all species examined, Mb P50 ranged from 2.40 to 4.85 mmHg. The mean P50 of Mb from terrestrial ungulates was 3.72±0.15 mmHg (range 3.70-3.74 mmHg). The P50 of cetaceans was similar to terrestrial ungulates ranging from 3.54 to 3.82 mmHg, with the exception of the melon-headed whale, which had a significantly higher P50 of 4.85 mmHg. Among pinnipeds, the P50 ranged from 3.23 to 3.81 mmHg and showed a trend for higher oxygen affinity in species with longer dive durations. Among diving birds, the P50 ranged from 2.40 to 3.36 mmHg and also showed a trend of higher affinities in species with longer dive durations. In pinnipeds and birds, low Mb P50 was associated with species whose muscles are metabolically active under hypoxic conditions associated with aerobic dives. Given the broad range of potential globin oxygen affinities, Mb P50 from diverse vertebrate species appears constrained within a relatively narrow range. High Mb oxygen affinity within this range may be adaptive for some vertebrates that make prolonged dives.

Palmitate interaction with physiological states of myoglobin

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown that palmitate (PA) can bind specifically and non-specifically to Fe(III)MbCN. The present study has observed PA interaction with physiological states of Fe(II)Mb, and the observations support the hypothesis that Mb may have a potential role in facilitating intracellular fatty acid transport.

METHODS

1H NMR spectra measurements of the Mb signal during PA titration show signal changes consistent with specific and non-specific binding.

RESULTS

Palmitate (PA) interacts differently with physiological states of Mb. Deoxy Mb does not interact specifically or non-specifically with PA, while the carbonmonoxy myoglobin (MbCO) interaction with PA decreases the intensity of selective signals and produces a 0.15ppmupfield shift of the PAmethylene peak. The selective signal change upon PA titration provides a basis to determine an apparent PA binding constant,which serves to create a model comparing the competitive PA binding and facilitated fatty acid transport of Mb and fatty acid binding protein(FABP).

CONCLUSIONS

Given contrasting PA interaction of ligated vs. unligated Mb, the cellular fatty acid binding protein(FABP) and Mb concentration in the cell, the reported cellular diffusion coefficients, the PA dissociation constants from ligated Mb and FABP, a fatty acid flux model suggests that Mb can compete with FABP transporting cellular fatty acid.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

Under oxygenated conditions and continuous energy demand, Mb dependent fatty acid transport could influence the cell's preference for carbohydrate or fatty acid as a fuel source and regulate fatty acid metabolism.

Interaction between myoglobin and mitochondria in rat skeletal muscle

The mechanisms underlying subcellular oxygen transport mediated by myoglobin (Mb) remain unclear. Recent evidence suggests that, in the myocardium, transverse diffusion of Mb is too slow to effectively supply oxygen to meet the immediate mitochondrial oxygen demands at the onset of muscle contractions. The cell may accommodate the demand by maintaining the distribution of Mb to ensure a sufficient O2 supply in the immediate vicinity of the mitochondria. The present study has verified the co-localization of Mb with mitochondria by using biochemical histological and electron microscopy analyses. Immunohistochemical and electron microscopy analysis indicates a co-localization of Mb with mitochondria. Western blotting confirms the presence of Mb colocalizes with the mitochondrial fraction and appears more prominently in slow-twitch oxidative than in fast-twitch glycolytic muscle. In particular, Mb interacts with cytochrome c oxidase-subunit IV. These results suggest that a direct Mb-mediated O2 delivery to the mitochondria, which may play a potentially significant role for respiration.

The rate of the deoxygenation reaction limits myoglobin- and hemoglobin-facilitated O₂ diffusion in cells

A mathematical model describing facilitation of O(2) diffusion by the diffusion of myoglobin and hemoglobin is presented. The equations are solved numerically by a finite-difference method for the conditions as they prevail in cardiac and skeletal muscle and in red cells without major simplifications. It is demonstrated that, in the range of intracellular diffusion distances, the degree of facilitation is limited by the rate of the chemical reaction between myglobin or hemoglobin and O(2). The results are presented in the form of relationships between the degree of facilitation and the length of the diffusion path on the basis of the known kinetics of the oxygenation-deoxygenation reactions. It is concluded that the limitation by reaction kinetics reduces the maximally possible facilitated oxygen diffusion in cardiomyoctes by ∼50% and in skeletal muscle fibers by ∼ 20%. For human red blood cells, a reduction of facilitated O(2) diffusion by 36% is obtained in agreement with previous reports. This indicates that, especially in cardiomyocytes and red cells, chemical equilibrium between myoglobin or hemoglobin and O(2) is far from being established, an assumption that previously has often been made. Although the "O(2) transport function" of myoglobin in cardiac muscle cells thus is severely limited by the chemical reaction kinetics, and to a lesser extent also in skeletal muscle, it is noteworthy that the speed of release of O(2) from MbO(2), the "storage function," is not limited by the reaction kinetics under physiological conditions.

Facilitated diffusion of myoglobin and creatine kinase and reaction-diffusion constraints of aerobic metabolism under steady-state conditions in skeletal muscle

The roles of creatine kinase (CK) and myoglobin (Mb) on steady-state facilitated diffusion and temporal buffering of ATP and oxygen, respectively, are assessed within the context of a reaction-diffusion model of muscle energetics. Comparison of the reaction-diffusion model with experimental data from a wide range of muscle fibers shows that the experimentally observed skeletal muscle fibers are generally not limited by diffusion, and the model further indicates that while some muscle fibers operate near the edge of diffusion limitation, no detectable effects of Mb and CK on the effectiveness factor, a measure of diffusion constraints, are observed under steady-state conditions. However, CK had a significant effect on average ATP concentration over a wide range of rates and length scales within the reaction limited regime. The facilitated diffusion functions of Mb and CK become observable in the model for larger size cells with low mitochondrial volume fraction and for low boundary O(2) concentration and high ATP demand, where the fibers may be limited by diffusion. From the transient analysis it may be concluded that CK primarily functions to temporally buffer ATP as opposed to facilitating diffusion while Mb has a small temporal buffering effect on oxygen but does not play any significant role in steady-state facilitated diffusion in skeletal muscle fibers under most physiologically relevant regions.

Molecules in motion: influences of diffusion on metabolic structure and function in skeletal muscle

Metabolic processes are often represented as a group of metabolites that interact through enzymatic reactions, thus forming a network of linked biochemical pathways. Implicit in this view is that diffusion of metabolites to and from enzymes is very fast compared with reaction rates, and metabolic fluxes are therefore almost exclusively dictated by catalytic properties. However, diffusion may exert greater control over the rates of reactions through: (1) an increase in reaction rates; (2) an increase in diffusion distances; or (3) a decrease in the relevant diffusion coefficients. It is therefore not surprising that skeletal muscle fibers have long been the focus of reaction-diffusion analyses because they have high and variable rates of ATP turnover, long diffusion distances, and hindered metabolite diffusion due to an abundance of intracellular barriers. Examination of the diversity of skeletal muscle fiber designs found in animals provides insights into the role that diffusion plays in governing both rates of metabolic fluxes and cellular organization. Experimental measurements of metabolic fluxes, diffusion distances and diffusion coefficients, coupled with reaction-diffusion mathematical models in a range of muscle types has started to reveal some general principles guiding muscle structure and metabolic function. Foremost among these is that metabolic processes in muscles do, in fact, appear to be largely reaction controlled and are not greatly limited by diffusion. However, the influence of diffusion is apparent in patterns of fiber growth and metabolic organization that appear to result from selective pressure to maintain reaction control of metabolism in muscle.

Myoglobin's old and new clothes: from molecular structure to function in living cells

Myoglobin, a mobile carrier of oxygen, is without a doubt an important player central to the physiological function of heart and skeletal muscle. Recently, researchers have surmounted technical challenges to measure Mb diffusion in the living cell. Their observations have stimulated a discussion about the relative contribution made by Mb-facilitated diffusion to the total oxygen flux. The calculation of the relative contribution, however, depends upon assumptions, the cell model and cell architecture, cell bioenergetics, oxygen supply and demand. The analysis suggests that important differences can be observed whether steady-state or transient conditions are considered. This article reviews the current evidence underlying the evaluation of the biophysical parameters of myoglobin-facilitated oxygen diffusion in cells, specifically the intracellular concentration of myoglobin, the intracellular diffusion coefficient of myoglobin and the intracellular myoglobin oxygen saturation. The review considers the role of myoglobin in oxygen transport in vertebrate heart and skeletal muscle, in the diving seal during apnea as well as the role of the analogous leghemoglobin of plants. The possible role of myoglobin in intracellular fatty acid transport is addressed. Finally, the recent measurements of myoglobin diffusion inside muscle cells are discussed in terms of their implications for cytoarchitecture and microviscosity in these cells and the identification of intracellular impediments to the diffusion of proteins inside cells. The recent experimental data then help to refine our understanding of Mb function and establish a basis for future investigation.

‘It's hollow’: the function of pores within myoglobin

Despite a century of research, the cellular function of myoglobin (Mb), the mechanism regulating oxygen (O2) transport in the cell and the structure–function relationship of Mb remain incompletely understood. In particular, the presence and function of pores within Mb have attracted much recent attention. These pores can bind to Xe as well as to other ligands. Indeed, recent cryogenic X-ray crystallographic studies using novel techniques have captured snapshots of carbon monoxide (CO) migrating through these pores. The observed movement of the CO molecule from the heme iron site to the internal cavities and the associated structural changes of the amino acid residues around the cavities confirm the integral role of the pores in forming a ligand migration pathway from the protein surface to the heme. These observations resolve a long-standing controversy – but how these pores affect the physiological function of Mb poses a striking question at the frontier of biology.

A highlight of myoglobin diversity: the nitrite reductase activity during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion

Myoglobin, famous as an important intracellular oxygen binding hemeprotein, displays a variety of functions. The first pioneering review on myoglobin was published as early as 1939, in which Millikan concluded that "muscle hemoglobin" acts primarily as a short-term dioxygen store, tiding the muscle over from one contraction to the next. Since that time, myoglobin has become one of the most widely studied proteins in a variety of research fields ranging from chemistry to medicine. Recently it was discovered that in the heart myoglobin changes its function in dependence of oxygen tension, acting as an oxygen sensor. Under normoxic conditions myoglobin plays the role of a nitric oxide (NO(*)) scavenger, protecting the heart from the deleterious effects of excessive NO(*). During hypoxia however, myoglobin changes its role from an NO(*) scavenger to an NO(*) producer. Deoxygenated myoglobin reduces nitrite to bioactive NO(*). The produced NO(*) downregulates the cardiac energy status and reduces myocardial oxygen consumption, thus protecting the heart. Myoglobin also exhibits a nitrite reductase function under further pathophysiological conditions. During myocardial reperfusion after ischemia, myoglobin - via nitrite - regulates respiration and cellular viability. This leads to a dramatic reduction of myocardial infarct size and to an improvement of myocardial function. The reaction between myoglobin and nitrite thus seems to play an imminent role in the regulation of cardiac function in physiology and pathophysiology.

Oximetry with the NMR signals of hemoglobin Val E11 and Tyr C7

The NMR visibility of the signals from erythrocyte hemoglobin (Hb) presents an opportunity to assess the vascular PO₂ (partial pressure of oxygen) in vivo to gather insight into the regulation of O₂ transport, especially in contracting muscle tissue. Some concerns, however, have arisen about the validity of using the Val E11 signal as an indicator of PO₂, since its intensity depends on tertiary structural changes, in contrast to the quaternary structure changes associated with relaxed (R) and tense (T) transition during O₂ binding. We have examined the Val E11 and Tyr C7 signal intensity as a function of Hb saturation by developing an oximetry system, which permits the comparative analysis of the NMR and spectrophotometric measurements. The spectrophotometric assay defines the Hb saturation level at a given PO₂ and yields standard oxygen-binding curves. Under defined PO₂ and Hb saturation values, the NMR measurements have determined that the Val E11 signal, as well as the Tyr C7 signal, tracks closely Hb saturation and can therefore serve as a vascular oxygen biomarker.

Myoglobin concentration in skeletal muscle fibers of chronic heart failure patients

The purpose of this study was to determine the myoglobin concentration in skeletal muscle fibers of chronic heart failure (CHF) patients and to calculate the effect of myoglobin on oxygen buffering and facilitated diffusion. Myoglobin concentration, succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity, and cross-sectional area of individual muscle fibers from the vastus lateralis of five control and nine CHF patients were determined using calibrated histochemistry. CHF patients compared with control subjects were similar with respect to myoglobin concentration: type I fibers 0.69 +/- 0.11 mM (mean +/- SD), type II fibers 0.52 +/- 0.07 mM in CHF vs. type I fibers 0.70 +/- 0.09 mM, type II fibers 0.49 +/- 0.07 mM in control, whereas SDH activity was significantly lower in CHF in both fiber types (P < 0.01). The myoglobin concentration in type I fibers was higher than in type II fibers (P < 0.01). Consequently, the oxygen buffering capacity, calculated from myoglobin concentration/SDH activity was increased in CHF: type I fibers 11.4 +/- 2.1 s, type II fibers 13.6 +/- 3.9 s in CHF vs. type I fibers 7.8 +/- 0.9 s, type II fibers 7.5 +/- 1.0 s in control, all P < 0.01). The calculated extracellular oxygen tension required to prevent core anoxia (Po2(crit)) in muscle fibers was similar when controls were compared with patients in type I fibers 10.3 +/- 0.9 Torr in CHF and 11.5 +/- 3.3 Torr in control, but was lower in type II fibers of patients 6.1 +/- 2.8 Torr in CHF and 14.7 +/- 6.2 Torr in control, P < 0.01. The lower Po2(crit) of type II fibers may facilitate oxygen extraction from capillaries. Reduced exercise tolerance in CHF is not due to myoglobin deficiency.

Roles of the creatine kinase system and myoglobin in maintaining energetic state in the working heart

BACKGROUND

The heart is capable of maintaining contractile function despite a transient decrease in blood flow and increase in cardiac ATP demand during systole. This study analyzes a previously developed model of cardiac energetics and oxygen transport to understand the roles of the creatine kinase system and myoglobin in maintaining the ATP hydrolysis potential during beat-to-beat transient changes in blood flow and ATP hydrolysis rate.

RESULTS

The theoretical investigation demonstrates that elimination of myoglobin only slightly increases the predicted range of oscillation of cardiac oxygenation level during beat-to-beat transients in blood flow and ATP utilization. In silico elimination of myoglobin has almost no impact on the cytoplasmic ATP hydrolysis potential (DeltaGATPase). In contrast, disabling the creatine kinase system results in considerable oscillations of cytoplasmic ADP and ATP levels and seriously deteriorates the stability of DeltaGATPase in the beating heart.

CONCLUSION

The CK system stabilizes DeltaGATPase by both buffering ATP and ADP concentrations and enhancing the feedback signal of inorganic phosphate in regulating mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation.

Theoretical models of microvascular oxygen transport to tissue

To improve understanding of microvascular O(2) transport, theoretical modeling has been pursued for many years. The large number of studies in this area attests to the complexities (i.e., biochemical, structural, and hemodynamic) involved. This article focuses on theoretical studies from the last two decades and, in particular, on models of O(2) transport to tissue by discrete microvessels. A brief discussion of intravascular O(2) transport is first given, highlighting the physiological importance of intravascular resistance to blood-tissue O(2) transfer. This is followed by a description of the Krogh tissue cylinder model of O(2) transport by a single capillary, which is shown to remain relevant in modified forms that relax many of the original biophysical assumptions. However, there are many geometric and hemodynamic complexities that require the consideration of microvascular arrays and networks. Multivessel models are discussed that have shown the physiological importance of heterogeneities in vessel spacing, O(2) supply, red blood cell flow path, as well as interactions between capillaries and arterioles. These realistic models require sophisticated methods for solving the governing partial differential equations, and a range of solution techniques are described. Finally, the issue of experimental validation of microvascular O(2) delivery models is discussed, and new directions in O(2) transport modeling are outlined.

Blood flow and metabolic regulation in seal muscle during apnea

In order to examine myoglobin (Mb) function and metabolic responses of seal muscle during progressive ischemia and hypoxemia, Mb saturation and high-energy phosphate levels were monitored with NMR spectroscopy during sleep apnea in elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris). Muscle blood flow(MBF) was measured with laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF). During six,spontaneous, 8–12 min apneas of an unrestrained juvenile seal, apneic MBF decreased to 46±10% of the mean eupneic MBF. By the end of apnea,MBF reached 31±8% of the eupneic value. The t1/2for 90% decline in apneic MBF was 1.9±1.2 min. The initial post-apneic peak in MBF occurred within 0.20±0.04 min after the start of eupnea. NMR measurements revealed that Mb desaturated rapidly from its eupenic resting level to a lower steady state value within 4 min after the onset of apnea at rates between 1.7±1.0 and 3.8±1.5% min–1, which corresponded to a muscle O2 depletion rate of 1–2.3 ml O2 kg–1 min–1. High-energy phosphate levels did not change with apnea. During the transition from apnea to eupnea, Mb resaturated to 95% of its resting level within the first minute. Despite the high Mb concentration in seal muscle, experiments detected Mb diffusing with a translational diffusion coefficient of 4.5×10–7 cm2 s–1,consistent with the value observed in rat myocardium. Equipoise PO2 analysis revealed that Mb is the predominant intracellular O2 transporter in elephant seals during eupnea and apnea.

Interaction of fatty acid with myoglobin

Upon titration with palmitate, the (1)H NMR spectra of metmyoglobin cyanide (MbCN) reveal a selective perturbation of the 8 heme methyl, consistent with a specific interaction of myoglobin (Mb) with fatty acid. Other detectable hyperfine shifted resonances of the heme group remain unchanged. Mb also enhances fatty acid solubility, as reflected in a more intense methylene peak of palmitate in Mb solution than in Tris buffer. Ligand binding analysis indicates an apparent palmitate dissociation constant (K(d)) of 43microM. These results suggest that Mb can bind fatty acid and may have a role in facilitating fatty acid transport in the cell.

Determination of myoglobin concentration in blood-perfused tissue

The standard method for determining the myoglobin (Mb) concentration in blood-perfused tissue often relies on a simple but clever differencing algorithm of the optical spectra, as proposed by Reynafarje. However, the underlying assumptions of the differencing algorithm do not always lead to an accurate assessment of Mb concentration in blood-perfused tissue. Consequently, the erroneous data becloud the understanding of Mb function and oxygen transport in the cell. The present study has examined the Mb concentration in buffer and blood-perfused mouse heart. In buffer-perfused heart containing no hemoglobin (Hb), the optical differencing method yields a tissue Mb concentration of 0.26 mM. In blood-perfused tissue, the method leads to an overestimation of Mb. However, using the distinct (1)H NMR signals of MbCO and HbCO yields a Mb concentration of 0.26 mM in both buffer- and blood-perfused myocardium. Given the NMR and optical data, a computer simulation analysis has identified some error sources in the optical differencing algorithm and has suggested a simple modification that can improve the Mb determination. Even though the present study has determined a higher Mb concentration than previously reported, it does not alter significantly the equipoise PO(2), the PO(2) where Mb and O(2) contribute equally to the O(2) flux. It also suggests that any Mb increase with exercise training does not necessarily enhance the intracellular O(2) delivery.