A comparative NMR study of the polypeptide backbone dynamics of hemoglobin in the deoxy and carbonmonoxy forms

Model-free-based NMR dynamics studies have been undertaken for polypeptide backbone amide N-H bond vectors for both the deoxy and carbonmonoxy forms of chain-specific, isotopically (N-15 and H-2) labeled tetrameric hemoglobin (Hb) using N-15-relaxation parameters [longitudinal relaxation rate (RI), transverse relaxation rate (RA and heteronuclear nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE)] measured at two temperatures (29 and 34 degrees C) and two magnetic field strengths (11.7 and 14.1 T). In both deoxy and carbonmonoxy forms of human normal adult hemoglobin (Hb A), the amide N-H bonds of most amino acid residues are rigid on the fast time scale (nanosecond to picosecond), except for the loop regions and certain helix-helix connections. Although rigid in deoxy-Hb A, beta 146His has been found to be free from restriction of its backbone motions in the CO form, presumably due to the rupture of its hydrogen bond/salt bridge network. We now have direct dynamics evidence for this structural transition of Hb in solution. While remarkably flexible in the deoxy state, alpha 31Arg and beta 123Thr, neighbors in the intradimer (alpha(1)beta(1)) interface, exhibit stiffening upon CO binding. These findings imply a role for alpha 31Arg and beta 123Thr in the intradimer communication but contradict the results from X-ray crystallography. We have also found that there is considerable flexibility in the intradimer (alpha(1)beta(1)) interface (i.e., B, G, and H helices and the GH corner) and possible involvement of several amino acid residues (e.g., alpha 31Arg, beta 3Leu, beta 41Phe, beta 123Thr, and beta 46His) in the allosteric pathway. Several amino acid residues at the intradimer inter-faces, such as beta 109Val, appear to be involved in possible conformational exchange processes. The dynamic picture derived from the present study provides new insights into the traditional description of the stereochemical mechanism for the cooperative oxygenation of Hb A based on X-ray crystallographic results.