Sensitivity of hemoglobins to intracellular effectors: Primitive and derived features

The Greenland shark Somniosus microcephalus-Hemoglobins and ligand-binding properties

A large amount of data is currently available on the adaptive mechanisms of polar bony fish hemoglobins, but structural information on those of cartilaginous species is scarce. This study presents the first characterisation of the hemoglobin system of one of the longest-living vertebrate species (392 ± 120 years), the Arctic shark Somniosus microcephalus. Three major hemoglobins are found in its red blood cells and are made of two copies of the same α globin combined with two copies of three very similar β subunits. The three hemoglobins show very similar oxygenation and carbonylation properties, which are unaffected by urea, a very important compound in marine elasmobranch physiology. They display identical electronic absorption and resonance Raman spectra, indicating that their heme-pocket structures are identical or highly similar. The quaternary transition equilibrium between the relaxed (R) and the tense (T) states is more dependent on physiological allosteric effectors than in human hemoglobin, as also demonstrated in polar teleost hemoglobins. Similar to other cartilaginous fishes, we found no evidence for functional differentiation among the three isoforms. The very similar ligand-binding properties suggest that regulatory control of O₂ transport may be at the cellular level and that it may involve changes in the cellular concentrations of allosteric effectors and/or variations of other systemic factors. The hemoglobins of this polar shark have evolved adaptive decreases in O₂ affinity in comparison to temperate sharks.

Functional and biochemical properties of the hemoglobins of the burrowing brittle star Hemipholis elongata say (Echinodermata, Ophiuroidea)

The burrowing brittle star Hemipholis elongata (Say) possesses hemoglobin-containing coelomocytes (RBCs) in its water vascular system. The RBCs, which circulate between the arms and body, are thought to play a role in oxygen transport. The hemoglobin of adult animals has a moderate affinity for oxygen (P(50) = 11.4 mm Hg at pH 8, 20 degrees C, measured in cellulo) and exhibits cooperativity (Hill coefficient > 1.7). The hemoglobin of juveniles has a higher affinity (P(50) = 2.3 mmHg at pH 8.0, 20 degrees C) and also exhibits cooperativity. The oxygen-binding properties of the hemoglobin are relatively insensitive to pH, temperature, and hydrogen sulfide. Adult hemoglobin is a heterogeneous mixture composed of three major fractions. The combined results of electrospray mass spectrometry and oxygen-binding experiments performed on purified fractions indicate that the native hemoglobin is in the form of homopolymers. A partial amino acid sequence (about 40 amino acids) of adult hemoglobin reveals little homology with holothurian hemoglobins.

Asymmetric hemoglobins, their thiol content, and blood glutathione of the scalloped hammerhead shark, Sphyrna lewini

Starch gel electrophoresis pH 8.6, or PAGE pH 8.9, of the scalloped hammerhead shark hemolysates showed three hemoglobins (Hb). An additional Hb between the two most mobile electrophoretic components was seen in starch gel electrophoresis, pH 8.1, and also in highly loaded PAGE gels. The relative concentration of these Hbs was variable among individuals, when accessed at pH 8.1. Dilution of hemolysates led to a redistribution of the Hb tetramer subunits. Under denaturing conditions, the unfractionated hemolysate was resolved in 3 Hb subunits. Isolated Hbs, named SL I-SL IV, showed unusual subunit compositions: SL I, the least mobile, is "b3c"; SL II is "a2bc"; SL III and SL IV are composed only by "a" subunits. Hemoglobins in the whole hemolysate have an average of two reactive cysteines per tetramer, which were not easily S-thiolated by glutathione, as is the case for related species. After hemoglobin denaturation, six additional -SH groups were titrated by Ellman's reagent. Methemoglobin content was low in the erythrocytes of nine examined specimens, 1.13 +/- 1.90%. High values for total erythrocyte glutathione (GSH) were found: 4.5 +/- 0.7 mM; n = 7. The ratio of 1.4 +/- 0.4 GSH/Hb is higher than usually reported for mammalians.