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Evidence for carbon monoxide binding to sickle cell polymers during melting
S K Aroutiounian1, J G Louderback, S K Ballas
1Department of Physics, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27109-7507, USA.
Biophysical Chemistry
|June 29, 2001
Summary
Carbon monoxide (CO) likely binds directly to sickle cell hemoglobin (HbS) polymers, influencing their melting kinetics. This finding provides new insights into HbS polymerization and melting processes in sickle cell disease.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Hematology
- Polymer Science
Background:
- Sickle cell hemoglobin (HbS) forms polymers that cause red blood cell sickling.
- Understanding HbS polymer dynamics is crucial for treating sickle cell disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of carbon monoxide (CO) in the melting kinetics of HbS polymers.
- To determine if CO binds directly to HbS polymers during the melting process.
Main Methods:
- HbS polymer melting was induced by rapid dilution using a stopped-flow apparatus.
- Light scattering was employed to monitor the kinetics of polymer melting.
- Experiments compared CO-free conditions with CO-saturated buffers.
Main Results:
- Existing models assuming CO binds only to solution-phase HbS did not fit the experimental data.
- The data strongly suggest that CO binds directly to HbS polymers during melting.
Conclusions:
- Carbon monoxide likely interacts directly with HbS polymers, affecting their stability and melting.
- This direct interaction has implications for understanding oxygen-modulated polymerization and melting in sickle cell disease.
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