title: [Hierarchies in the structure and function of oxygen-binding proteins].
abstract: The structures of respiratory proteins such as hemoglobins and hemocyanins show obvious hierarchies. They belong to the class of allosteric macromolecules with cooperative functional properties, as do key metabolic enzymes. When examining the molecular mechanisms on which allostery and cooperativity are based, it could be shown for arthropod hemocyanins that the structural hierarchy of these macromolecules is reflected in a functional hierarchy. This relationship is described quantitatively in the "nesting" model. This model also offers explanations for the physiological significance of the prominent hierarchy of these molecules.
authors.affiliation: Zoologisches Institut der Universität, München, Bundesrepublik Deutschland.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Decker
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sterner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006433:Hemocyanins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008961:Models, Structural; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D006433:Hemocyanins; D010100:Oxygen
vernacular_title: Hierarchien in der Struktur und Funktion von sauerstoffbindenden Proteinen.