Circular dichroism spectra of human hemoglobin reveal a reversible structural transition at body temperature. 2004

Gerhard M Artmann, and Laura Burns, and Jaume M Canaves, and Aysegül Temiz-Artmann, and Gerd W Schmid-Schönbein, and Shu Chien, and Christina Maggakis-Kelemen
Department of Cellular Engineering, University of Applied Sciences Aachen, Ginsterweg 1, 52428 Jülich, Germany. artmann@fh-aachen.de.

Previously we have shown that human red blood cells (RBCs) undergo a sudden change from blocking to passing through a 1.3+/-0.2-microm micropipette when applying an aspiration pressure of 2.3 kPa at a critical transition temperature (Tc = 36.4+/-0.3 degrees C). Low-shear viscosity measurements suggested that changes in the molecular properties of hemoglobin might be responsible for this effect. To evaluate structural changes in hemoglobin at the critical temperature, we have used circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. The thermal denaturation curves of human hemoglobin A (HbA) and hemoglobin S (HbS) upon heating between 25 and 60 degrees C were non-linear and showed accelerated denaturation between 35 and 39 degrees C with a midpoint at 37.2+/-0.6 degrees C. The transition was reversible below 39 degrees C and independent of solution pH (pH 6.8-7.8). It was also independent of the oxygenation state of hemoglobin, since a sample that was extensively deoxygenated with N2 showed a similar transition by CD. These findings suggest that a structural change in hemoglobin may enable the cellular passage phenomenon as well as the temperature-dependent decrease in viscosity of RBC solutions.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D011487 Protein Conformation The characteristic 3-dimensional shape of a protein, including the secondary, supersecondary (motifs), tertiary (domains) and quaternary structure of the peptide chain. PROTEIN STRUCTURE, QUATERNARY describes the conformation assumed by multimeric proteins (aggregates of more than one polypeptide chain). Conformation, Protein,Conformations, Protein,Protein Conformations
D011489 Protein Denaturation Disruption of the non-covalent bonds and/or disulfide bonds responsible for maintaining the three-dimensional shape and activity of the native protein. Denaturation, Protein,Denaturations, Protein,Protein Denaturations
D011522 Protons Stable elementary particles having the smallest known positive charge, found in the nuclei of all elements. The proton mass is less than that of a neutron. A proton is the nucleus of the light hydrogen atom, i.e., the hydrogen ion. Hydrogen Ions,Hydrogen Ion,Ion, Hydrogen,Ions, Hydrogen,Proton
D001831 Body Temperature The measure of the level of heat of a human or animal. Organ Temperature,Body Temperatures,Organ Temperatures,Temperature, Body,Temperature, Organ,Temperatures, Body,Temperatures, Organ
D002942 Circular Dichroism A change from planar to elliptic polarization when an initially plane-polarized light wave traverses an optically active medium. (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed) Circular Dichroism, Vibrational,Dichroism, Circular,Vibrational Circular Dichroism
D006358 Hot Temperature Presence of warmth or heat or a temperature notably higher than an accustomed norm. Heat,Hot Temperatures,Temperature, Hot,Temperatures, Hot
D006441 Hemoglobin A Normal adult human hemoglobin. The globin moiety consists of two alpha and two beta chains.
D006451 Hemoglobin, Sickle An abnormal hemoglobin resulting from the substitution of valine for glutamic acid at position 6 of the beta chain of the globin moiety. The heterozygous state results in sickle cell trait, the homozygous in sickle cell anemia. Hemoglobin S,Deoxygenated Sickle Hemoglobin,Deoxyhemoglobin S,Hemoglobin SS,Hemoglobin, Deoxygenated Sickle,SS, Hemoglobin,Sickle Hemoglobin,Sickle Hemoglobin, Deoxygenated
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D044367 Phase Transition A change of a substance from one form or state to another. Gas-Liquid-Solid Phase Transitions,Sol-Gel Phase Transition,Gas Liquid Solid Phase Transitions,Gas-Liquid-Solid Phase Transition,Phase Transition, Gas-Liquid-Solid,Phase Transition, Sol-Gel,Phase Transitions,Phase Transitions, Gas-Liquid-Solid,Phase Transitions, Sol-Gel,Sol Gel Phase Transition,Sol-Gel Phase Transitions,Transition, Gas-Liquid-Solid Phase,Transition, Sol-Gel Phase,Transitions, Gas-Liquid-Solid Phase,Transitions, Sol-Gel Phase

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