Cited by 520Hemoglobin structure and functionHeme Oxygenase-1 and Carbon MonoxideNitric Oxide and Endothelin Effects

Enzymatic function of hemoglobin as a nitrite reductase that produces NO under allosteric control

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Huang, Z.·2005·Journal of Clinical Investigation

Abstract

Hypoxic vasodilation is a fundamental, highly conserved physiological response that requires oxygen and/or pH sensing coupled to vasodilation. While this process was first characterized more than 80 years ago, the precise identity and mechanism of the oxygen sensor and mediators of vasodilation remain uncertain. In support of a possible role for hemoglobin (Hb) as a sensor and effector of hypoxic vasodilation, here we show biochemical evidence that Hb exhibits enzymatic behavior as a nitrite reductase, with maximal NO generation rates occurring near the oxy-to-deoxy (R-to-T) allosteric structural transition of the protein. The observed rate of nitrite reduction by Hb deviates from second-order kinetics, and sigmoidal reaction progress is determined by a balance between 2 opposing chemistries of the heme in the R (oxygenated conformation) and T (deoxygenated conformation) allosteric quaternary structures of the Hb tetramer--the greater reductive potential of deoxyheme in the R state tetramer and the number of unligated deoxyheme sites necessary for nitrite binding, which are more plentiful in the T state tetramer. These opposing chemistries result in a maximal nitrite reduction rate when Hb is 40-60% saturated with oxygen (near the Hb P50), an apparent ideal set point for hypoxia-responsive NO generation. These data suggest that the oxygen sensor for hypoxic vasodilation is determined by Hb oxygen saturation and quaternary structure and that the nitrite reductase activity of Hb generates NO gas under allosteric and pH control.

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Crossref · 10.1172/jci24650

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  • Nitrite bioactivation is most prevalent during rapid deoxygenation, reaching a maximum conversion and nitric oxide-mediated effects at 50% oxygen bound hemoglobin.

    “They showed that nitrite bioactivation is most prevalent during rapid deoxygenation, reaching a maximum conversion and nitric oxide-mediated effects at 50% oxygen bound hemoglobin.73,74”

    From Nitrate-Nitrite-Nitric Oxide Pathway: Implications for Anesthesiology and Intensive Care (2010) · cites this paper as [73]

    The Figure 2 passage reports a maximal nitrite-reductase rate at 40–60% hemoglobin oxygen saturation, consistent with the claimed value of about 50%. The Physiological implications section links this reaction to NO generation and possible vasodilation, but it does not establish that bioactivation is greatest during *rapid* deoxygenation or that NO-mediated effects themselves reach a measured maximum at 50% saturation. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Nitrite appears to mediate the majority of its effects through bioactivation to NO, mainly via nitrite reductases that have selective activity under oxygen/hypoxic/ischaemic conditions.

    “Nitrite appears to mediate the majority of its effects through bioactivation to NO.This occurs mainly via nitrite reductases, which have selective activity under oxygen/hypoxic/ischaemic conditions”

    From Vascular effects of dietary nitrate (as found in green leafy vegetables and beetroot) via the nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide pathway (2013) · cites this paper as [120]

    The Introduction links nitrite-associated vasodilation to its conversion to NO by deoxyhemoglobin, and the results report that hemoglobin’s nitrite-reductase rate varies with oxygen saturation. The paper does not establish that the majority of nitrite’s effects occur through NO bioactivation or that nitrite reductases are the main route across those effects; the Physiological implications section also discusses nonenzymatic reduction. Page numbers were not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • The reaction of deoxyHb with nitrite shows an increase in instantaneous rate as the reaction progresses due to a T-state to R-state shift; NO binds unreacted deoxyHb to stabilize the R-state (R-state autocatalysis).

    “The reaction of deoxyHb with nitrite shows an increase in the instantaneous reaction rate as the reaction progresses (447). Studies with T-state and R-state Hb–stabilizing compounds have unambiguously identified the reason for this change is the shift from T-state to R-state during the course of the reaction, as the NO formed in the reaction binds to the unreacted deoxyHb to stabilize the R-state.”
  • Rate constants for the reaction of Hb with nitrite change from 0.12 M−1s−1 for T-state Hb to 6.0 M−1s−1 for R-state Hb.

    “The rate constants for the reaction of Hb with nitrite change from 0.12 M−1s−1 for T-state Hb to 6.0 M−1s−1 for R-state Hb (Table 3) (447).”
  • The scheme of heme protein-mediated nitrite reduction applies to virtually all heme proteins studied to date, including Hb, Mb, Ngb, Cygb, CBS, globin X, plant and cyanobacterial Hb, flavohemoglobin, heme-albumin, cytochrome c, protoglobin, and microperoxidase-11.

    “This scheme has been found to apply to virtually all the heme protein–mediated nitrite reduction reactions studied to date, including Hb (248, 447), Mb (247, 862), neuroglobin (Ngb) (932, 945), Cygb (182, 571, 780), cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) (149, 350), globin X (184), plant and cyanobacterial Hb (phytohemoglobins) (905, 946), flavohemoglobin (340), heme-albumin (43), cytochrome c (41), prot”

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Authors
Huang, Z.
Affiliations
National Institutes of Health (US)
Corresponding author
Huang, Z.
Venue
Journal of Clinical Investigation
Published
2005-08-01
Volume
115
Issue
8
Pages
2099-2107
ISSN
0021-9738 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2120714892
Cited by
520
References
57
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 20 · 2016: 25 · 2015: 29 · 2014: 33 · 2013: 41 · 2012: 40
FWCI
13.83
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Clinical Investigation (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • North Carolina Biotechnology Center
  • National Institutes of Health (GM55792, HL58091)
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R29HL058091, R37HL058091, HL58091, R01HL058091)
  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences (R29GM055792, GM55792, R01GM055792)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Hemoglobin structure and function
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Heme Oxygenase-1 and Carbon Monoxide
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Nitric Oxide and Endothelin Effects
Keywords
hemoglobin, nitrite reductase, nitric oxide production, hypoxic vasodilation, oxygen sensing, allosteric transition, pH control, oxygen saturation
MeSH terms
Allosteric Regulation, Allosteric Site, Animals, Hypoxia, Hemoglobins, Horses, Humans, Hydrogen-Ion Concentration, Kinetics, Nitric Oxide, Nitrite Reductases, Nitrites, Oxidation-Reduction, Vasodilation, Protein Structure, Tertiary

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