The binding of carbon dioxide by horse haemoglobin

Abstract

1. Three modified horse haemoglobins have been prepared: (i) αc2βc2, in which both the α-amino groups of the α- and β-chains have reacted with cyanate, (ii) αc2β2, in which the α-amino groups of the α-chains have reacted with cyanate, and (iii) α2βc2, in which the two α-amino groups of the β-chain have reacted with cyanate. 2. The values of n (the Hill constant) for αc2βc2, α2βc2 and αc2β2 were (respectively) 2.5, 2.0 and 2.6, indicating the presence of co-operative interactions between the haem groups for all derivatives. 3. In the alkaline pH range (about pH8.0) all the derivatives show the same charge as normal haemoglobin whereas in the acid pH range (about pH6.0) αc2βc2 differs by four protonic charges and αc2β2, α2βc2 by two protonic charges from normal haemoglobin, indicating that the expected number of ionizing groups have been removed. 4. αc2β2 and αc2βc2 show a 25% decrease in the alkaline Bohr effect, in contrast with α2βc2, which has the same Bohr effect as normal haemoglobin. 5. The deoxy form of αc2βc2 does not bind more CO2 than the oxy form of αc2βc2, whereas αc2β2 and α2βc2 show intermediate binding. 6. The results reported confirm the hypothesis that, under physiological conditions, haemoglobin binds CO2 through the four terminal α-amino groups and that the two terminal α-amino groups of α-chains are involved in the Bohr effect.