O2 binding and CO2 sensitivity in hemoglobins of subterranean African mole rats

dc.contributor.authorWeber, Roy E.
dc.contributor.authorJarvis, Jennifer U.M.
dc.contributor.authorFago, Angela
dc.contributor.authorBennett, Nigel Charles
dc.date.accessioned2017-11-30T09:00:50Z
dc.date.issued2017
dc.description.abstractInhabiting deep and sealed subterranean burrows, mole rats exhibit a remarkable suite of specializations, including eusociality (living in colonies with single breeding queens), extraordinary longevity, cancer immunity and poikilothermy, and extreme tolerance of hypoxia and hypercapnia.With little information available on adjustments in hemoglobin (Hb) function that may mitigate the impact of exogenous and endogenous constraints on the uptake and internal transport of O2, we measured hematological characteristics, as well as Hb-O2 binding affinities and their sensitivities to pH (Bohr effect), CO2, temperature and 2,3 diphosphoglycerate (DPG, the major allosteric modulator of Hb-O2 affinity in the red cells) in four social and two solitary species of African mole rats (family Bathyergidae) originating from different biomes and soil types across Central and Southern Africa. We find no consistent patterns in hematocrit (Hct) and blood and red cell DPG and Hb concentrations or in intrinsic Hb-O2 affinity and its sensitivity to pH and DPG that correlate with burrowing, sociality and soil-type. However, the results reveal low specific (pHindependent) effects of CO2 on Hb-O2 affinity compared to humans that predictably safeguard pulmonary loading under hypoxic and hypercapnic burrow conditions. The O2-binding characteristics are discussed in relation to available information on the primary structure of Hbs from adult and developmental stages of mammals subjected to hypoxia and hypercapnia and the molecular mechanisms underlying functional variation in rodent Hbs.en_ZA
dc.description.departmentZoology and Entomologyen_ZA
dc.description.embargo2018-11-30
dc.description.librarianam2017en_ZA
dc.description.sponsorshipThe Danish Council for Independent Research, Natural Sciences (grant 4181-00094) and the Faculty of Science and Technology, Aarhus University.en_ZA
dc.description.urihttp://jeb.biologists.orgen_ZA
dc.identifier.citationWeber, R.E., Jarvis, J.U.M., Fago, A. & Bennett, N.C. 2017, 'O2 binding and CO2 sensitivity in hemoglobins of subterranean African mole rats', Journal of Experimental Biology, vol. 220, no. 21, pp. 3939-3948.en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn0022-0949 (print)
dc.identifier.issn1477-9145 (online)
dc.identifier.other10.1242/jeb.160457
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/63394
dc.language.isoenen_ZA
dc.publisherCompany of Biologistsen_ZA
dc.rights© 2017. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.en_ZA
dc.subjectBohr effecten_ZA
dc.subjectCarbon dioxideen_ZA
dc.subjectHypoxiaen_ZA
dc.subjectHypercapniaen_ZA
dc.subjectOxygen transporten_ZA
dc.subjectPhenotypic plasticityen_ZA
dc.subjectRespiratory propertiesen_ZA
dc.subjectVertebrate hemoglobinsen_ZA
dc.subjectCryptomys hottentusen_ZA
dc.subjectMiddle East mole rat (Spalax ehrenbergi)en_ZA
dc.subjectDeer mouse hemoglobinen_ZA
dc.subjectDeer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus)en_ZA
dc.subjectAcetylationen_ZA
dc.subjectHigh-altitude adaptionen_ZA
dc.subjectAfrican mole-rats (Bathyergidae)en_ZA
dc.titleO2 binding and CO2 sensitivity in hemoglobins of subterranean African mole ratsen_ZA
dc.typeArticleen_ZA

Files

Original bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
Weber_O2_2017.pdf
Size:
881.5 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Article

License bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.75 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description: