Neuroglobin, seven years after

Neuroglobin is expressed in vertebrates brain and belongs to a branch of the globin family that diverged early in evolution. Sequence conservation suggests a relevant role in the nervous system, with tight structural restraints. Experiments in vivo and in vitro showed increased hypoxic stress damage upon repressing neuroglobin biosynthesis and improved recovery following overexpression. Neuroglobin shows internal heme hexacoordination, which controls oxygen affinity and kinetics. Neuroglobin concentration, oxygen affinity and enhanced autooxidation question a role in oxygen delivery; thus it was proposed that the neuroprotective effect might be due to radical scavenging or activation of protection mechanisms. Neuroglobin's structure shows a peculiar internal cavity of very large size. Binding of heme ligands is associated to a conformational change involving the heme that "slides" into the pre-existing cavity and makes the sixth coordination position available. These features may pave the way to an understanding of neuroprotection by neuroglobin.