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Genetic diversity of coastal bottlenose dolphins revealed by structurally and functionally diverse hemoglobins.
Remington, Nicole; Stevens, Robert D; Wells, Randall S; Holn, Aleta; Dhungana, Suraj; Taboy, Celine H; Crumbliss, Alvin L; Henkens, Robert; Bonaventura, Celia.
Afiliação
  • Remington N; Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Duke University Marine Laboratory, Beaufort, NC 28516, United States.
Gene ; 398(1-2): 123-31, 2007 Aug 15.
Article em En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17604574
ABSTRACT
Studies of structure-function relationships in the respiratory proteins of marine mammals revealed unexpected variations in the number and types of hemoglobins (Hbs) present in coastal bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus. We obtained blood samples from free-ranging coastal bottlenose dolphins as a component of capture-release studies. We found that the oxygen-binding functions of bottlenose dolphin blood are poised between effector-saturated and unsaturated levels, enabling exercise-dependent shifts in oxygen transfer functions. Isolated bottlenose dolphin Hbs showed elevated pH sensitivities (Bohr effects) and appreciably lower oxygen affinities than adult human Hb in the absence of allosteric effectors. These properties may be an adaptive modification that enhances oxygen delivery during diving episodes when oxygen tensions and effector levels are low. The Hbs of individual dolphins showed similar oxygen affinities, responses to effectors, and expression of heme-heme interaction in oxygen binding, but differed in their redox potentials and rates of autoxidation. The heterogeneity suggested by these functional variations in Hbs of individual dolphins was born out by variations in the molecular weights and numbers of their alpha and beta globin chains. Although coastal bottlenose dolphins were expected to have a single type of Hb, the mass differences observed revealed considerable genetic diversity. There were multiple Hb forms in some individuals and differences in Hb patterns among individuals within the same community.
Assuntos

Texto completo: 1 Base de dados: MEDLINE Assunto principal: Hemoglobinas / Golfinho Nariz-de-Garrafa Limite: Animals / Humans Idioma: En Ano de publicação: 2007 Tipo de documento: Article

Texto completo: 1 Base de dados: MEDLINE Assunto principal: Hemoglobinas / Golfinho Nariz-de-Garrafa Limite: Animals / Humans Idioma: En Ano de publicação: 2007 Tipo de documento: Article