Inhibition of NADH-methemoglobin reductase by organic phosphates

The organic phosphate allosteric effectors of hemoglobin, inositol hexaphosphate, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate, and ATP, interact with NADH-methemoglobin reductase (NADH-diaphorase). Significant inhibitory effects on the enzyme were found when dichlorophenolindophenol, or ferricyanide were used as electron acceptors in place of methemoglobin. In contrast, apparent stimulation of enzyme activity was observed when adult human methemoglobin was used as the electroganic phosphate on the rate of reaction due to its interaction with the substrate methemoglobin to produce the favored T type of quaternary conformation. The inhibitory effect of inositol hexaphosphate on the enzyme is associated with a perturbation in the reactivity of essential sulfhydryl group(s) on the enzyme. It is suggested that the interaction of the organic phosphate with the enzyme as well as with the substrate is significant in determining the overall rate of methemoglobin reduction.