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A Cupane

Publications and source records attributed to A Cupane.

48 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Optical absorption spectra of deoxy- and oxyhemoglobin in the temperature range 300-20 K. Relation with protein dynamics.

We have studied the optical absorption spectra of human deoxy- and oxyhemoglobin in the temperature range 300-20 K and in the wavelength range 350-1350 nm. By lowering the temperature, a narrowing and a shift of all bands were observed together with a sizeable increase of the integrated intensities of the charge-transfer bands of deoxyhemoglobin. At all temperatures the spectra are in full agreement with the band assignment previously suggested in the literature and no new relevant bands have been detected for both deoxy- and oxyhemoglobin. Analysis of the first and second moment of the bands, within the framework of the harmonic Franck-Condon approximation, gave information on the dynamic properties of the heme in the heme pocket.

Freezing↗

Oxygen affinity of bovine haemoglobin. Relevance of electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions.

We have studied the effects of organic cosolvents (monohydric alcohols and formamide) on the oxygen equilibrium of bovine haemoglobin and have compared them with the effects of the same cosolvents on the oxygen equilibrium of human haemoglobin. Our results indicate: (1) that in agreement with previous suggestions, the lower affinity of bovine haemoglobin for oxygen is not due to an increased number of salt bridges stabilizing the T structure; (2) that, following T----R transition, more hydrophobic surface is exposed to the solvent by bovine than by human haemoglobin. We suggest, therefore, that a relevant role in keeping the oxygen affinity of bovine haemoglobin lower than that of human haemoglobin is played by the higher free energy needed to expose this more hydrophobic surface to the solvent. We stress, however, that our analysis does not enable us to say which particular amino acid residues are concerned in these effects.

1-Propanol↗

Thermal stability of poly(A) and poly(U) complexes in H2O and D2O: isotopic effects on critical temperatures and transition widths.

This is a study of the effect of total and partial deuteration of solvent on critical temperatures and profiles of all four reactions occurring in poly(A) x n poly(U) (n = 1 or 2) aqueous systems. The study was done at observational times not longer than hydrogen exchange times at base pairs in helically ordered structures, and it was extended to a wide range of salt concentrations at neutral pH. The dependence of stability of polymer helical order on hydrogen mass does not appear to be merely attributable to the stronger intrahelical deuterium bonding. Substituting Deuterium for Hydrogen implies a probably predominant modulation of the entrophy term of polymer-solvent interactions. Effects of deuteration on the width of the 2(poly(A) x poly (U)) leads to poly(A) x 2poly(U)+poly(A) interconversion reaction were also observed. They bear on the role of polymer-solvent interaction on pattern recognition leading to formation of ordered structures. They also bear on the role of the same interaction on the "breathing" of ordered structures of this type.

Deuterium↗