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Immunological properties of the dimeric and tetrameric hemoglobins from the mollusc Scapharca inaequivalvis
Author(s) -
Verzili Daniela,
Citro Gennaro,
Ascoli Franca,
Chiancone Emilia
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/0014-5793(85)80290-8
Subject(s) - tetramer , dimer , biology , chemistry , antibody , biophysics , biochemistry , genetics , enzyme , organic chemistry
The dimeric and tetrameric hemoglobins from the bivalve mollusc Scapharca inaequivalvis produce highly specific antibodies in rabbits. No antigenic cross‐reactivity between the two hemoglobins has been observed despite the presence of highly conserved regions, i.e., the E and F helices, in the dimer and in the α‐chain of the tetramer. These results may be explained on the basis of the unusual assembly of S. inaequivalvis hemoglobins, in which the E and F helices are not exposed to solvent as in vertebrate hemoglobins, but form a crucial intersubunit contact. The specific antibodies only slightly affect the oxygen binding properties of the respective antigen.