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Updated: Oct 1, 2026

Stability and Structure of Bat Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I with Heterologous β2-Microglobulin
Published on: March 10, 2021
The 109 residue nerve tissue minihemoglobin from Cerebratulus lacteus highlights striking structural plasticity of
Alessandra Pesce1, Marco Nardini, Sylvia Dewilde
1Department of Physics, INFM, Advanced Biotechnology Centre, University of Genova, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, I-16146 Genova, Italy.
Abstract:
A very short hemoglobin (CerHb; 109 amino acids) binds O(2) cooperatively in the nerve tissue of the nemertean worm Cerebratulus lacteus to sustain neural activity during anoxia. Sequence analysis suggests that CerHb tertiary structure may be unique among the known globin fold evolutionary variants. The X-ray structure of oxygenated CerHb (R factor 15.3%, at 1.5 A resolution) displays deletion of the globin N-terminal A helix, an extended GH region, a very short H helix, and heme solvent shielding based on specific aromatic residues. The heme-bound O(2) is stabilized by hydrogen bonds to the distal TyrB10-GlnE7 pair. Ligand access to heme may take place through a wide protein matrix tunnel connecting the distal site to a surface cleft located between the E and H helices.
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