Abstract
AbstractX‐ray analysis of the natural valency hybrid α+ M Boston2 βdeoxy2 shows that the ferric iron atoms in the abnormal α subunits are bonded to the phenolate side chains of the tyrosines that have replaced the distal histidines; the iron atoms are displaced to the distal side of the porphyrin ring and are not bonded to the proximal histidines. The resulting changes in tertiary structure of the α subunits stabilize the haemoglobin tetramer in the quaternary deoxy structure, which lowers the oxygen affinity of the normal β subunits and causes cyanosis. The strength of the bond from the ferric iron to the phenolate oxygen appears to be the main factor responsible for the many abnormal properties of haemoglobin M Boston.
Published Version
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