Summary
The hemoglobin system ot the jaraqui, Prochilodus sp., consists of multiple hemoglobin components. The oxidized derivative elutes as a single molecular weight species in gel filtration experiments. The carboxy derivative has an apparent molecular weight of 60,000 as determined by gel filtration. A 44-fold change In p1/2 occurs between ph 6.4 and 8 6 in stripped hemoglobin solutions. This change increases to 388-fold over the same pH range in the presence of 1mM ATP, Cooperativity in oxygen binding, as measured by n in the Hill equation, is greater than one at pH values above 6.7 but less than one below this value. The hemolysate displays a Root effect, being only 44% saturated at pH 6.4 in the presence of 1 mM ATP and equilibrated with air at one atmosphere. At 30°C and pH 7.6 the whole blood possesses a low p 4.7 mm Hg lower than that of many other Amazonian teleosts. Both the carbon monoxide combination rate and the oxygen dissociation rate are pH and ATP dependent. Between pH 6.2 and 8.8 the COon rate increases 10-fold. ATP reduces the rate at intermediate pH values. The O2off rate increases 2.4-fold between pH 8.8 and 6.7. Addition of 1 mM ATP causes a 4.5-fold Increase over the same pH range. The low n values below pH 6.7 and the heterogeneity of the CO combination and O3 dissociation processes suggests that the hemoglobin components may be functionally differentiated and/or intra-molecular differences exist in the kinetic properties of oc and β like chains.