1. Biochemical role of Hemoglobin
Dr. Shumaila Asim
Lecture #5

2. Function of hemoglobin
Hb is a buffer (Hb/Hb-H+) in the erythrocytes
Hb is a carrier of O2 and CO2
Binding of O2 is a cooperative. Hb binds O2 weakly at low oxygen pressures and tightly at high pressures. The binding of the first O2 to Hb enhances the binding futher O2 molecules → allosteric effect → S-shaped (sigmoidal) saturation curve of Hb

3. Process of O2 binding to Hb
Hb can exist in 2 different forms: T-form and R-form.
T-form (T = tense) has a much lower oxygen affinity than the R-form. The subunits of Hb are held together by electrostatic interactions. The binding of the first O2 molecule to subunit of the T-form leads to a local conformational change that weakens the association between the subunits → R-form (relaxed) of Hb.
Increasing of oxygen partial pressure causes the conversion of T-form to R-form.
T  R
Hb + ↑pO2  HbO2

4. Oxy & deoxyhaemoglobin

5. Agents that influence oxygen binding
2,3-bisphosphoglycerate (2,3-BPG) only binds to deoxyHb (β-chains) → deoxyHb is thus stabilized
H+ ions (lower pH) – binding of H+ by Hb lowers its affinity for O2 → Bohr effect
3. CO2 – high CO2 levels in the plasma also result in a right shift of saturation curve = Bohr effect

6. Normal Hemoglobin Function
When fully saturated, each gram of hemoglobin binds 1.34 ml of oxygen.
The degree of saturation is related to the oxygen tension (pO2), which normally ranges from 100 mm Hg in arterial blood to about 35 mm Hg in veins.
The relation between oxygen tension and hemoglobin oxygen saturation is described by the oxygen-dissociation curve of hemoglobin.

7. Hb-oxygen dissociation curve
The normal position of curve depends on
Concentration of 2,3-BPG
H+ ion concentration (pH)
CO2 in red blood cells
Structure of Hb

9. Hb-oxygen dissociation curve
Right shift (easy oxygen delivery)
High 2,3-DPG
High H+
High CO2
HbS
Left shift (give up oxygen less readily)
Low 2,3-DPG
HbF

10. Bohr Effect The change in oxygen affinity with pH is known
as the Bohr effect.
Hemoglobin oxygen affinity is reduced as the acidity increases.
Since the tissues are relatively rich in carbon dioxide, the pH is lower than in arterial blood; therefore, the Bohr effect facilitates transfer of oxygen.

12. 2,3-Bisphosphoglycerate (2,3-BPG)
This compound is synthesized from glycolytic intermediates by means of a pathway known as the Rapoport-Luebering shunt.
In the erythrocyte, 2-3-BPG constitutes the predominant phosphorylated compound, accounting for about two thirds of the red cell phosphorus.
In the deoxygenated state, hemoglobin A can bind 2,3-BPG in a molar ratio of 1:1, a reaction leading to reduced oxygen affinity and improved oxygen delivery to tissues.

13. When oxygen is unloaded by the hemoglobin molecule and 2,3 BPG is bound, the molecule undergoes a conformational change becoming what is known as the ""Tense" or "T" form.
The resultant molecule has a lower affinity for oxygen.
As the partial pressure of oxygen increases, the 2,3, BPG is expelled, and the hemoglobin resumes its original state, known as the "relaxed" or "R" form, this form having a higher oxygen affinity.
These conformational changes are known as "respiratory movement".

14. Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Transport of carbon dioxide by red cells, unlike that of oxygen, does not occur by direct binding to heme.
In aqueous solutions, carbon dioxide undergoes a pair of reactions:
CO2 + H2O H2CO3
H2CO H+ + HCO3

16. CO2
Carbon dioxide diffuses freely into the red cell where the presence of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase facilitates reaction 1.
The H+ liberated in reaction 2 is accepted by deoxygenated hemoglobin, a process facilitated by the Bohr effect.
The bicarbonate formed in this sequence of reactions diffuses freely across the red cell membrane and a portion is exchanged with plasma Cl-, a phenomenon called the "chloride shift." the bicarbonate is carried in plasma to the lungs where ventilation keeps the pCO2 low, resulting in reversal of the above reactions and excretion of CO2 in the expired air.
About 70% of tissue carbon dioxide is processed in this way. Of the remaining 30%, 5% is carried in simple solution and 25% is bound to the N-terminal amino groups of deoxygenated hemoglobin, forming carbaminohemoglobin.