Hemoglobin Oleander [α₂^{116(GH4)GLU → GLN}β₂]: Structural and Functional Characterization

Abstract

Hb Oleander [α116(GH4)Glun→Gln] was found in a newborn black infant and his mother during a screening program. Electrophoretically, Hb Oleander moves like Hb S on cellulose acetate, pH 8.5 and like Hb A on citrate agar, pH 6.0. The abnormal α chain moves cathodically to α G Philadelphia [α68(E17)Asn→Asp] at both pH 8.9 and 6.0. No clinical abnormalities were detected in either the mother or child, and the only hematologic abnormalities were low red cell indices and slight morphologic abnormalities of the erythrocytes. Oxygen equilibrium measurements under a variety of conditions yielded normal values. Specifically, Hb Oleander has a normal PCQ, cooperativity, and Bohr, chloride, and IHP effects. The substituted residue is externally situated in the molecule, with only one contact at the α₁β₁ interface.