Effect of pH on molecular constitution and distribution of hemoglobin in living erythrocyte

• Published in: Biopolymers 2010-04, Vol.93 (4), p.348-354
• Main Authors: Wu, Yue, Huang, Yao-Xiong, Kang, Li-Li, Wu, Zheng-Jie, Luo, Man
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cell Shape; confocal Raman microscopy; Erythrocyte Membrane - chemistry; Erythrocytes - chemistry; Erythrocytes - cytology; hemoglobin; Hemoglobins - chemistry; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; living erythrocyte; Microscopy, Confocal - methods; Protein Structure, Tertiary; Spectrum Analysis, Raman - methods
• ISSN: 0006-3525; 1097-0282
• DOI: 10.1002/bip.21348

The molecular constitution of in situ hemoglobin (Hb) and their distribution in living erythrocyte were investigated versus pH using the technique of confocal Raman microscopy. Both Raman point spectra and line mapping measurements were performed on living erythrocytes in suspensions with pH values from 4.82 to 9.70. It was found that the Hb inside a living erythrocyte would dissociate into monomer/dimer when the cells are in low and high pH environments. In contrast to the homogeneous distribution of the Hbs in the cells in neutral suspension, there are more Hbs distributing around the cell membrane or binding to the membrane as pH increases. While in low pH, as the cell become spherical, most of the Hbs distribute to the central part of the cell. In summary, our investigation suggests that the variation of the external pH not only brings changes in the morphology and membrane structure of an erythrocyte, but also affects the constitution and distribution of its intracellular Hbs, thereby the flexibility of the cell membrane and the oxygenation ability of the Hb. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 93: 348–354, 2010. This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at [e-mail]