Rate parameters for oxygen and carbon monoxide binding to a liposome-embedded heme under physiological conditions

Abstract

Rate parameters for oxygen and carbon monoxide binding to a liposome-embedded heme were measured under physiological conditions (pH 7.0 at 37 °C) by stopped-flow spectrophotometry. The rate constants were similar to those of red blood cells in suspension. It is concluded that liposome-embedded heme is a suitable model to study the binding of gaseous molecules to red blood cells.