Subunit interactions in the dimeric and tetrameric hemoglobins from the mollusc Scapharca inaequivalvis

Abstract

The dissociation behaviour of oxygenated Scapharca inaequivalvis HbII, the tetrameric hemoglobin component contained in the erythrocytes of this bivalve mollusc, has been compared with that of oxygenated human hemoglobin, HbA. At neutral pH the molluscan protein dissociates reversibly into dimers as does HbA, although dissociation is less marked; moreover the dimer-tetramer association constant is not sensitive to the presence of inorganic phosphates and high salt concentrations. HbII dimers hybridize with HbA dimers in solution, pointing to an overall similarity of the dimer interfaces in these hemoglobins from distantly related species. The gel filtration behaviour of the dimeric hemoglobin component of the erythroeytes, HbI, indicates that at neutral pH the protein has very little tendency to dissociate into monomers even at micromolar concentrations. Hb I was found to contain small amounts (2–4%) of bound carbohydrates.