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. 1984 Sep 1;222(2):401–406. doi: 10.1042/bj2220401

Haem degradation in human haemoglobin in vitro. Separation of the contribution of the alpha- and beta-subunits.

J C Docherty, S B Brown
PMCID: PMC1144192  PMID: 6477522

Abstract

Human haemoglobin was prepared containing [14C]haem in either the alpha- or the beta-subunits. Coupled oxidation of such hybrid haemoglobins with ascorbate and O2 showed that the biliverdin produced by the alpha-subunits contained approx. 55% alpha-isomer and 45% beta-isomer, whereas that produced by the beta-subunits contained approx. 75% alpha-isomer and 25% beta-isomer. Coupled oxidation of isolated alpha- and beta-subunits gave approx. 70% alpha-isomer, 30% beta-isomer and 78% alpha-isomer, 22% beta-isomer respectively. These results are consistent with calculations of differences in the haem environment in the two subunit types.

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Selected References

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