Thermodynamic parameters determination and intrinsic activity of extracellular hemoglobin of Amynthas gracilis (HbAg)

• Grant number: 17/19332-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: December 01, 2017
• End date: March 10, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biophysics - Molecular Biophysics
• Principal Investigator: Patrícia Soares Santiago
• Grantee: Jonathan Brito Souza de Oliveira
• Supervisor: Nuno Fernando Duarte Cordeiro Correia dos Santos
• Host Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Registro. Registro , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
• Associated to the scholarship: 16/10884-1 - Structural characterization of the extracellular hemoglobin Amynthas gracilis (HbAg) by various biophysics techniques., BP.MS

Abstract

Oxygen-carrying proteins are a group of proteins that play a vital role in organisms. Within this group we can mention myoglobin, intracellular hemoglobin and cytochrome c, which are intensively studied, the interest of several research groups in giant extracellular hemoglobins or called erythrocruorins (Ec) is relatively recent. The importance of studying the Ec is related to its high oligomeric stability, resistance to oxidation, high cooperativity and high affinity to bind oxygen, in addition to the potential use in biomedical applications as a blood substitute. These properties make Ec quite unique and interesting for studies with biotechnological applications. The present project aims to study aggregation / dissociation kinetics of the Ec from the Amynthas. Gracilis earthworm (HbAg). Dynamic light scattering (DLS) is intended to evaluate the hydrodynamic properties of HbAg and its subunits under different conditions of pH, concentration, temperature and, in the presence of chaotropic agents. These results will allow the advancement in understanding the aggregation / dissociation phenomena involved in this extracellular hemoglobin. Additionally, it is intended to perform tests for observing potential of peroxidase HbAg activities.