title: Biochemical characterization and ligand binding properties of neuroglobin, a novel member of the globin family.
abstract: Neuroglobin is a recently discovered member of the globin superfamily that is suggested to enhance the O(2) supply of the vertebrate brain. Spectral measurements with human and mouse recombinant neuroglobin provide evidence for a hexacoordinated deoxy ferrous (Fe(2+)) form, indicating a His-Fe(2+)-His binding scheme. O(2) or CO can displace the endogenous protein ligand, which is identified as the distal histidine by mutagenesis. The ferric (Fe(3+)) form of neuroglobin is also hexacoordinated with the protein ligand E7-His and does not exhibit pH dependence. Flash photolysis studies show a high recombination rate (k(on)) and a slow dissociation rate (k(off)) for both O(2) and CO, indicating a high intrinsic affinity for these ligands. However, because the rate-limiting step in ligand combination with the deoxy hexacoordinated form involves the dissociation of the protein ligand, O(2) and CO binding is suggested to be slow in vivo. Because of this competition, the observed O(2) affinity of recombinant human neuroglobin is average (1 torr at 37 degrees C). Neuroglobin has a high autoxidation rate, resulting in an oxidation at 37 degrees C by air within a few minutes. The oxidation/reduction potential of mouse neuroglobin (E'(o) = -129 mV) lies within the physiological range. Under natural conditions, recombinant mouse neuroglobin occurs as a monomer with disulfide-dependent formation of dimers. The biochemical and kinetic characteristics are discussed in view of the possible functions of neuroglobin in the vertebrate brain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Antwerp, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dewilde
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kiger
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Burmester
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hankeln
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Baudin-Creuza
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aerts
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Marden
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Caubergs
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moens
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000378:metabolism; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005914:Globins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006639:Histidine / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D007700:Kinetics; D008024:Ligands; D008027:Light; D051379:Mice; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000078787:Neuroglobin; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014461:Ultracentrifugation
chemical_list: D008024:Ligands; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D000078787:Neuroglobin; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D006639:Histidine; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D005914:Globins; D007501:Iron; D010100:Oxygen