Reactivity differences between haemoglobins. Part XIII. Spectral and reactivity studies on haemoglobin Zürich

Abstract

The properties of haemoglobin Zürich have been examined. The peak positions of the spectra of most derivatives are at lower wavelengths than those for haemoglobin A. The haems attached to the abnormal β-polypeptide chains have a higher redox potential than methaemoglobin A, and the affinity for hydroxyl ion of these haems is about thirty times greater than that of methaemoglobin A. Haemoglobin Zürich, in which all the haems are in the acid met form, denatures rapidly. These observations are interpreted in terms of the known structue of haemoglobin Zürich.