Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 21, 2026
22:00
Crystallizing Membrane Proteins for Structure Determination using Lipidic Mesophases
Published on: November 21, 2010
30.6K
The crystal structure of haemoglobin from Atlantic cod
Ronny Helland1, Eva Katrin Bjørkeng1, Ulli Rothweiler1
1NorStruct, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway.
Summary
The crystal structure of Atlantic cod haemoglobin was determined. This research reveals potential polymorphism in its tetrameric assembly, offering insights into fish haemoglobin structure.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Structural Biology
- Marine Biology
Background:
- Haemoglobin (Hb) is crucial for oxygen transport in vertebrates.
- Understanding fish Hb structure provides insights into adaptation to aquatic environments.
- Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) is an ecologically and economically important species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the high-resolution crystal structure of Atlantic cod haemoglobin.
- To investigate the quaternary structure and potential variations in cod Hb assembly.
Main Methods:
- X-ray crystallography was employed to solve the crystal structure.
- The structure was refined to a resolution of 2.54 Å.
- Analysis of the crystallographic asymmetric unit was performed.
Main Results:
- The crystal structure of Atlantic cod haemoglobin was successfully resolved.
- The asymmetric unit contains two distinct tetrameric haemoglobin molecules.
- Structural analysis suggests the possibility of polymorphism in the tetrameric assembly of cod Hb.
Conclusions:
- The determined crystal structure provides a detailed molecular model of Atlantic cod haemoglobin.
- Evidence for tetrameric assembly polymorphism in cod Hb was observed.
- This finding contributes to the understanding of structural diversity in fish haemoglobins.
Related Concept Videos
02:42Ionic Crystal Structures
16.9K
Ionic crystals consist of two or more different kinds of ions that usually have different sizes. The packing of these ions into a crystal structure is more complex than the packing of metal atoms that are the same size.
Most monatomic ions behave as charged spheres, and their attraction for ions of opposite charge is the same in every direction. Consequently, stable structures for ionic compounds result (1) when ions of one charge are surrounded by as many ions as possible of the opposite...
Most monatomic ions behave as charged spheres, and their attraction for ions of opposite charge is the same in every direction. Consequently, stable structures for ionic compounds result (1) when ions of one charge are surrounded by as many ions as possible of the opposite...
16.9K
02:58Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes
30.7K
Crystal Field Theory
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
30.7K
01:25Crystal Growth: Principles of Crystallization
4.8K
Crystallization is a phase transformation process in which crystals are precipitated from a supersaturated solution or formed from other sources. During crystallization, atoms or molecules arrange themselves into a well-defined, rigid crystal lattice to minimize energy.
Initiating crystallization involves manipulating the concentration of the solute and the temperature of the solution. Since crystal growth occurs when the ratio of concentration and solubility of the solute in the solvent...
Initiating crystallization involves manipulating the concentration of the solute and the temperature of the solution. Since crystal growth occurs when the ratio of concentration and solubility of the solute in the solvent...
4.8K
02:22Structures of Solids
17.5K
Solids in which the atoms, ions, or molecules are arranged in a definite repeating pattern are known as crystalline solids. Metals and ionic compounds typically form ordered, crystalline solids. A crystalline solid has a precise melting temperature because each atom or molecule of the same type is held in place with the same forces or energy. Amorphous solids or non-crystalline solids (or, sometimes, glasses) which lack an ordered internal structure and are randomly arranged. Substances that...
17.5K
02:46Crystal Field Theory - Tetrahedral and Square Planar Complexes
48.2K
Tetrahedral Complexes
Crystal field theory (CFT) is applicable to molecules in geometries other than octahedral. In octahedral complexes, the lobes of the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals point directly at the ligands. For tetrahedral complexes, the d orbitals remain in place, but with only four ligands located between the axes. None of the orbitals points directly at the tetrahedral ligands. However, the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals (along the Cartesian axes) overlap with the ligands less than the dxy,...
Crystal field theory (CFT) is applicable to molecules in geometries other than octahedral. In octahedral complexes, the lobes of the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals point directly at the ligands. For tetrahedral complexes, the d orbitals remain in place, but with only four ligands located between the axes. None of the orbitals points directly at the tetrahedral ligands. However, the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals (along the Cartesian axes) overlap with the ligands less than the dxy,...
48.2K
02:34Structural Isomerism
21.5K
Isomerism in Complexes
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula. Structural isomerism of coordination compounds can be divided into two subcategories, the linkage isomers and coordination-sphere isomers.
Linkage isomers occur when the coordination compound contains a ligand that can bind to the transition metal center through two different atoms. For example, the CN− ligand can bind through the carbon atom or through the nitrogen atom. Similarly, SCN− can...
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula. Structural isomerism of coordination compounds can be divided into two subcategories, the linkage isomers and coordination-sphere isomers.
Linkage isomers occur when the coordination compound contains a ligand that can bind to the transition metal center through two different atoms. For example, the CN− ligand can bind through the carbon atom or through the nitrogen atom. Similarly, SCN− can...
21.5K