1 research outputs found
Structural Insights into a Hemoglobin–Albumin Cluster in Aqueous Medium
A hemoglobin
(Hb) wrapped covalently by three human serum albumins
(HSAs) is a triangular protein cluster designed as an artificial O<sub>2</sub>-carrier and red blood cell substitute. We report the structural
insights into this Hb-HSA<sub>3</sub> cluster in aqueous medium revealed
by 3D reconstruction based on cryogenic transmission electron microscopy
(cryo-TEM) data and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements.
Cryo-TEM observations showed individual particles with approximately
15 nm diameter in the vitrified ice layer. Subsequent image processing
and 3D reconstruction proved the expected spatial arrangements of
an Hb in the center and three HSAs at the periphery. SAXS measurements
demonstrated the monodispersity of the Hb-HSA<sub>3</sub> cluster
having a molecular mass of 270 kDa. The pair-distance distribution
function suggested the existence of oblate-like particles with a maximum
dimeter of ∼17 nm. The supramolecular 3D structure reconstructed
from the SAXS intensity using an <i>ab initio</i> procedure
was similar to that obtained from cryo-TEM data