Summary
The two hemoglobins of a characid fish, Mylossoma sp. have been isolated. The more anodally migrating electrophoretic component constitutes 89% of the total hemolysate. The two native hemoglobins have apparent molecular weights of 57,000 by gel chromatography. The apparent molecular weights of the denatured subunits are 14,100 by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis. No polymerization occurs after oxidation with potassium ferricyanide. Oxygen binding studies indicate that the more anodal hemoglobin component possesses a Root effect. At pH 5.9 in the presence of 1 mM ATP the hemoglobin is only 45% saturated when equilibrated with air at one atmosphere. The more anodal component possesses a normal Bohr effect which is enhanced in the presence of 1 mM ATP. The cooperativity, as determined by n of the Hill equation varies with pH. At and below pH 6.7 in the presence of 1 mM ATP, n< 1. The presence of 1 mM ATP causes a reduction in n below pH 8.2. The less anodal component evinces very different behavior having a reverse Bohr effect a log p1/2Δ/ pH=0.14, between pH 7.0 and 8.0 which changes to a normal Bohr effect, Δ log p1/2/Δ pH = — 0.13 upon addition of 1 mM ATP. This hemoglobin shows cooperativity, at all pH values studied. It does not show a Boot effect. Rapid kinetic studies of CO binding and O2 dissociation of the isolated hemoglobin components show that both processes are pH dependent for each of the components. These results are consistent with the analysis of the oxygen equilibrium data. Mylossoma hemoglobins resemble those of Hoplosternum, trout, salmon, sucker and loach in the degree of their functional differentiation and may represent evolutionary specializations designed to serve diverse physiological functions.