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==The Structure Function Relationship of Haemoglobin==
==The Structure Function Relationship of Haemoglobin==
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{{55/559112/Oxyhb/1/55/559112/A_chain_haeme/1/1 }}
 
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== Introduction ==
 
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== Introduction ==
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<Structure load='Oxyhaemoglobin.pdb' size='350' frame='true' align='right' caption='OxyHb'/>
<scene name='55/559112/Oxyhb/1'>Haemoglobin</scene> is a tetrameric globular protein able to transport small molecules such as oxygen and carbon dioxide around the body to support life. Its a great example of how a protein's binding affinity to its ligand can change in response to changes in its environment. This is facilitated by small conformational changes that occur in and between subunits in a cooperative manner ultimately allowing O<sub>2</sub> to be picked up in the lungs and delivered to the tissues.
<scene name='55/559112/Oxyhb/1'>Haemoglobin</scene> is a tetrameric globular protein able to transport small molecules such as oxygen and carbon dioxide around the body to support life. Its a great example of how a protein's binding affinity to its ligand can change in response to changes in its environment. This is facilitated by small conformational changes that occur in and between subunits in a cooperative manner ultimately allowing O<sub>2</sub> to be picked up in the lungs and delivered to the tissues.

Revision as of 09:42, 4 February 2015

The Structure Function Relationship of Haemoglobin

Introduction

OxyHb

Drag the structure with the mouse to rotate

is a tetrameric globular protein able to transport small molecules such as oxygen and carbon dioxide around the body to support life. Its a great example of how a protein's binding affinity to its ligand can change in response to changes in its environment. This is facilitated by small conformational changes that occur in and between subunits in a cooperative manner ultimately allowing O2 to be picked up in the lungs and delivered to the tissues.

Exploring the Structure

Haemoglobin (Hb) consists of 2 identical α subunits and 2 identical β subunits. The strongest inter-subunit interactions exist between the α and β subunits so Hb could be considered to be a dimer of α/β subunits. The α subunits have 141 residues while β subunits have 146 residues. Each monomer contains a haeme prosthetic group facilitating O2 coordination.

On the right is . Embedded in each monomer is the haeme prosthetic group with bound (ferrous) iron. Iron makes 6 coordination bonds. Four in the plane of the haeme to 4 nitrogens (blue); one to the proximal Histidine imidizole nitrogen and one reserved for oxygen.

Image:OxyHb.png

The key to Hb's success is conformational changes which increase or decrease its affinity for O2. Hb exists in 2 main conformations, the relaxed, R-state (oxyHb) and the tense. T-state (deoxyHb). What factors induce this change in conformation? Hb exploits the changes in its environment, such as pH, CO2 and 2,3-BPG. These small molecules are called allosteric effectors because they bind to Hb at sites away from the O2 binding site and effect a change in conformation of Hb.

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