The primary structure of alpha A- and beta-chains from blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna, Psittaci) hemoglobin. No evidence for expression of alpha D-chains.
The hemoglobin A of the Blue-and-Yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna) was isolated and characterized. The complete amino-acid sequence of alpha A- and beta-chains is presented. In contrast to some adult avian hemoglobins already investigated, Blue-and-Yellow Macaw hemoglobin is homogenous and contains only one component: HbA. The minor component, HbD, which is usually present in the hemolysate of avian erythrocytes, could not be detected. There is no evidence for the expression of the alpha D-globin gene. Comparison of alpha A- and beta-chains from Blue-and-Yellow Macaw hemoglobin with corresponding chains from Greylag Goose hemoglobin shows 19 amino-acid exchanges between alpha A-chains and 6 between beta-chains. The structure-function relationships of hemoglobin chains and the evolutionary aspects are discussed in view of these results.
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds / Q000097:blood*; D010856:Columbidae / Q000097:blood; D005777:Geese / Q000097:blood; D005914:Globins / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006441:Hemoglobin A / Q000302:isolation & purification; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000032:analysis; D013045:Species Specificity; D014357:Trypsin
D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D005914:Globins; D006441:Hemoglobin A; D014357:Trypsin