title: Quantitative transformation of hemoglobin into stable tetramers.
abstract: A method is described for the preparation of human or bovine hemoglobin with a covalent bridge, formed by bispyridoxal-tetraphosphate, between the beta chains. The yield is 95% of the total hemoglobin. The location of the two molecules of bispyridoxal-tetraphosphate in the tetramer has been established. The functional properties of the cross-linked hemoglobin, its stability, and particularly, the simplicity of the method for its preparation, make it a promising candidate for an acellular blood substitute.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics, College of Physicians & Surgeons of Columbia University New York, NY 10032.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Benesch
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kwong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001704:Biopolymers; D002417:Cattle; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D004355:Drug Stability; D005914:Globins / Q000737:chemistry; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D001704:Biopolymers; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D006454:Hemoglobins; D005914:Globins