Haemoglobin: NO transporter, NO inactivator or NOne of the above?

A J Hobbs, M T Gladwin, R P Patel, D L H Williams, A R Butler

Research output: Contribution to journalEditorialpeer-review

Abstract

The structural and functional characterization of haemoglobin (Hb) exceeds that of any other mammalian protein. Recently, the biological role attributed to Hb has been extended from the classical role in the transport and exchange of the respiratory gases O-2 and CO2 to include a third gaseous molecule, nitric oxide (NO). It is postulated that Hb might be involved in the systemic transport and delivery of NO to tissues and in the facilitation of O-2 release. However, definitive evidence for these putative activities is yet to be produced and many questions remain. Here we describe the present status of these hypotheses and their strengths and weaknesses.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)406-411
Number of pages6
JournalTrends in Pharmacological Sciences
Volume23
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2002

Keywords

  • NITRIC-OXIDE PRODUCTION
  • SICKLE-CELL HEMOGLOBIN
  • REGIONAL BLOOD-FLOW
  • S-NITROSOHEMOGLOBIN
  • OXYGEN-BINDING
  • BIOCHEMICAL-CHARACTERIZATION
  • PHYSIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS
  • PLATELET-AGGREGATION
  • BIOLOGICAL-ACTIVITY
  • ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS

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