Faculty Collaboration Database

Enzymatic function of hemoglobin as a nitrite reductase that produces NO under allosteric control. J Clin Invest 2005 Aug;115(8):2099-107

Date

07/26/2005

Pubmed ID

16041407

Pubmed Central ID

PMC1177999

DOI

10.1172/JCI24650

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-23644460670 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   442 Citations

Abstract

Hypoxic vasodilation is a fundamental, highly conserved physiological response that requires oxygen and/or pH sensing coupled to vasodilation. While this process was first characterized more than 80 years ago, the precise identity and mechanism of the oxygen sensor and mediators of vasodilation remain uncertain. In support of a possible role for hemoglobin (Hb) as a sensor and effector of hypoxic vasodilation, here we show biochemical evidence that Hb exhibits enzymatic behavior as a nitrite reductase, with maximal NO generation rates occurring near the oxy-to-deoxy (R-to-T) allosteric structural transition of the protein. The observed rate of nitrite reduction by Hb deviates from second-order kinetics, and sigmoidal reaction progress is determined by a balance between 2 opposing chemistries of the heme in the R (oxygenated conformation) and T (deoxygenated conformation) allosteric quaternary structures of the Hb tetramer--the greater reductive potential of deoxyheme in the R state tetramer and the number of unligated deoxyheme sites necessary for nitrite binding, which are more plentiful in the T state tetramer. These opposing chemistries result in a maximal nitrite reduction rate when Hb is 40-60% saturated with oxygen (near the Hb P50), an apparent ideal set point for hypoxia-responsive NO generation. These data suggest that the oxygen sensor for hypoxic vasodilation is determined by Hb oxygen saturation and quaternary structure and that the nitrite reductase activity of Hb generates NO gas under allosteric and pH control.

Author List

Huang Z, Shiva S, Kim-Shapiro DB, Patel RP, Ringwood LA, Irby CE, Huang KT, Ho C, Hogg N, Schechter AN, Gladwin MT

Author

Neil Hogg PhD Associate Dean, Professor in the Biophysics department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Allosteric Regulation
Allosteric Site
Animals
Hemoglobins
Horses
Humans
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Hypoxia
Kinetics
Nitric Oxide
Nitrite Reductases
Nitrites
Oxidation-Reduction
Protein Structure, Tertiary
Vasodilation