Developmental expression of human hemoglobins mediated by maturation of their subunit interfaces.
Different types of human hemoglobins (Hbs) consisting of various combinations of the embryonic, fetal, and adult Hb subunits are present at certain times during development representing a major paradigm of developmental biology that is still not understood and one which we address here. We show that the subunit interfaces of these Hbs have increasing bonding strengths as demonstrated by their distinct distribution of tetramers, dimers, and monomers during gel filtration at very low-Hb concentration. This maturation is mediated by competition between subunits for more favorable partners with stronger subunit interactions. Thus, the protein products of gene expression can themselves have a role in the developmental process due to their intrinsic properties.
Manning
Lois R
LR
Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Popowicz
Anthony M
AM
Padovan
Julio
J
Chait
Brian T
BT
Russell
J Eric
JE
Manning
James M
JM
D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D005810:Multigene Family; D011487:Protein Conformation; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D006454:Hemoglobins; D021122:Protein Subunits