Cation modulation of hemoglobin interaction with sodium n-dodecyl sulphate (SDS) iv: magnesium modulation at pH 7.20

Abstract

We investigate the interaction of Mg2+ (0–2.30 mM) and sodium n-dodecyl sulfate (SDS) with hemoglobins (Hbs) A and S at pH 7.20. SDS was used to model both membranes (0.60 mM SDS) and proteases (5.0 mM SDS). Via UV-visible spectroscopy, second derivative and difference second derivative spectroscopy, we interrogated for difference(s) in the interaction of these ligands with the proteins that can account for the HbS resistance to malaria parasite while been prone to sickling. Our results show that Mg2+ interaction with the proteins lowered the HbS oxygen affinity in comparison with the HbA. Additionally, [SDS]-protein interactions resulted in oxoferryl heme species formation that was prominent for the HbA and highly diminished for the HbS. [Mg2+] introduction to the [SDS]-protein mixture, however decreased the concentration of denatured protein species. The [Mg2+]-[SDS]-protein interactions suggest that while ionic or coulomb interactions for the HbA, in the presence of the surfactants, are [Mg2+] dependent, those of the HbS are not. Furthermore, hydrophobicity is a crucial force for the HbS interaction at neutral pH and is little-masked by ionic, electrostatic or coulombic interactions. In conclusion, at physiological pH, the Mg-SDS interaction decreased the HbS denaturation in comparison to the HbA.

Keywords

• hemoglobins
• protein folding
• membranes
• proteases
• sodium n-dodecyl sulfate
• denaturation
• oxoferryl heme species