Analysis of Oxygen Affinity of the Major Hemoglobin Component HbA from Aquila chrysaetos (Golden Eagle)

Abstract

Aquila chrysaetos(golden eagle), a high altitude bird is usually found perched on poles or cliff edges. Its hemoglobin is adapted to high altitude hypoxic condition. To understand the mechanism of respiration in A.chrysaetoswe need to understand the three dimensional structure of its hemoglobin. During our contemplation, a three dimensional model of hemoglobinfrom A.chrysaetos was predicted though homology modeling using Turkey (Meleagrisgallopavo)’s HbA as template. MODELLER was used to create three dimensional patterns.Stereochemistry of the models was evaluated by PROCHECK and ProSA. This study is about the analysis of effects of inter-subunit contacts on oxygen affinity of the hemoglobin. The effect of the following pairs of inter-subunit contacts on the oxygen affinity of the hemoglobin have been studied i.e. ?99 and ?101, ?34 and ?125, ?38 and ?99 and ?97, ?119and ?55, ?35 and ?128, and ?103 and ?112. The absence of bonds between these pair like other hypoxic condition dwellers might be the main cause of its living under low oxygen tension.

Keywords: High altitude, hypoxic, Inter-subunit Contacts, R-state, birds