Abstract
The ultrasonic absorption and velocity were determined in aqueous solutions of hemoglobin (Hb) undergoing dissociation. The dissociation of Hb in aqueous solutions of the strong electrolyte guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl) has been studied extensively [K. Kawahara, A. G. Kirschner, and C. Tanford, Biochemistry 4, 1203 (1965)]. With increasing concentration of GuHCl to 0.7M (molar), the Hb molecule dissociates into half-molecules without loss of tertiary structure. At GuHCl concentrations greater than 2.5M, the Hb molecule dissociates further into its four individual polypeptide chains with complete loss of tertiary structure. The acoustical absorption coefficient within the frequency range 1–50 MHz appears to be insensitive to these conformational changes. Within the neighborhood of 2-M GuHCl concentration, a maximum in the excess ultrasonic absorption coefficient occurs which does not correspond to dissociation or expansion of the Hb molecule, and it is speculated that this maximum can be attributed to the proton transfer reaction.
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