Effects of heterotropic allosteric effectors on the equilibrium and kinetics of the reaction of a single ligand molecule with an alpha or beta subunit of deoxygenated HbA.

Abstract

Symmetrical FeZn hybrids of human HbA have been used to measure K(1)(alpha) and K(1)(beta), the dissociation constants for the binding of a single molecule of oxygen to unliganded HbA at an alpha subunit and at a beta subunit, respectively. The kinetic constants, l(1)'(alpha) and l(1)'(beta), for the combination of the first CO molecule to unliganded HbA at an alpha or a beta subunit, respectively, were also measured. Measurements were carried out between pH 6 and pH 8 in the presence and absence of inositol hexaphosphate (IHP). Both equilibrium constants exhibit a significant Bohr effect in the absence of IHP. The addition of IHP to a concentration of 0.1 mM increases both dissociation constants in a pH-dependent manner with the result that both Bohr effects are greatly reduced. These results require a negative thermodynamic linkage between the binding of a single oxygen at either an alpha or a beta subunit and the binding of IHP to the T quaternary structure of HbA. Although the beta hemes are relatively near the IHP binding site, a linkage between that site and the alpha hemes, such that the binding of a single oxygen molecule to the heme of one alpha subunit reduces the affinity of the T state for IHP, requires communication across the molecule. l(1)'(alpha) exhibits a very slight pH dependence, with a maximum variation of 20%, while l(1)'(beta) varies with pH three times as much. IHP has no effect on the pH dependence of either rate constant but reduces l(1)'(alpha) marginally, 20%, and l(1)'(beta) by 2-fold at all pH values.