Toshio Asakura

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA

Are you Toshio Asakura?

Claim your profile

Publications (32)114.35 Total impact

  • Article: Crystallographic analysis of human hemoglobin elucidates the structural basis of the potent and dual antisickling activity of pyridyl derivatives of vanillin. Corrigendum.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: The affiliation of one of the authors of Abdulmalik et al. (2011) [Acta Cryst. D67, 920-928] is corrected.
    Acta crystallographica. Section D, Biological crystallography 12/2011; 67(Pt 12):1076. · 12.67 Impact Factor
  • Article: Crystallographic analysis of human hemoglobin elucidates the structural basis of the potent and dual antisickling activity of pyridyl derivatives of vanillin.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Vanillin has previously been studied clinically as an antisickling agent to treat sickle-cell disease. In vitro investigations with pyridyl derivatives of vanillin, including INN-312 and INN-298, showed as much as a 90-fold increase in antisickling activity compared with vanillin. The compounds preferentially bind to and modify sickle hemoglobin (Hb S) to increase the affinity of Hb for oxygen. INN-312 also led to a considerable increase in the solubility of deoxygenated Hb S under completely deoxygenated conditions. Crystallographic studies of normal human Hb with INN-312 and INN-298 showed that the compounds form Schiff-base adducts with the N-terminus of the α-subunits to constrain the liganded (or relaxed-state) Hb conformation relative to the unliganded (or tense-state) Hb conformation. Interestingly, while INN-298 binds and directs its meta-positioned pyridine-methoxy moiety (relative to the aldehyde moiety) further down the central water cavity of the protein, that of INN-312, which is ortho to the aldehyde, extends towards the surface of the protein. These studies suggest that these compounds may act to prevent sickling of SS cells by increasing the fraction of the soluble high-affinity Hb S and/or by stereospecific inhibition of deoxygenated Hb S polymerization.
    Acta crystallographica. Section D, Biological crystallography 11/2011; 67(Pt 11):920-8. · 12.67 Impact Factor
  • Article: Hb Baden: structural and functional characterization.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Hb Baden (β18Val→Met) is a rare variant hemoglobin that has never been functionally or clinically characterized. We describe a Hb Baden heterozygote who exhibits normal growth and development, as well as age- and gender-appropriate hematological values. Surprisingly, in vitro analyses demonstrate that Hb Baden is relatively unstable and exhibits an abnormally high affinity for O₂. These properties are likely to affect the physiologies of individuals who inherit the β(Baden) mutation in trans to a determinant for either a functionally relevant hemoglobinopathy or a mild thalassemia. The data also provide insights into the function of the A-helix/AB-segment of β globin, supporting a structural model in which this poorly understood region serves as a scaffold that fixes the positions of other helices that directly impact β-globin function.
    American Journal of Hematology 11/2010; 85(11):848-52. · 4.67 Impact Factor
  • Article: Molecular Stability and Function of Hemoglobins Hasharon (α2 47(CD5)ASP→HISβ2) and Hasharon (α2 47 (CD5) ASP → HIS δ2)
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: The molecular stability and function of hemoglobin (Hb) Hasharon (α2Hβ2) and Hb Hasharon2 (α2 H δ2) were studied and compared to Hbs A, A2 and S. Hb Hasharon and Hb Hasharon had slightly lower P50 values than Hb A and Hb A2 but had normal responses to organic phosphates. The molecular stability of Hb Hasharon and Hb Hasharon (as measured by mechanical shaking and heat denaturation at 60° 6) were less than Hb A and Hb A2 but greater than Hb S in the oxy- and carbonmonoxy-forms. In the met-form, however, Hb Hasharon and Hb Hasharon2 were less stable than hemoglobins S, A and A2. The oxy-form of Hb Hasharon forms methemoglobin at a faster rate than Hb A and Hb S. The mechanical and heat stabilities and the rate formation of oxy-Hb Hasharon were studied in the presence of sulfisoxazole. This drug increased the rate of methemoglobin formation, thus causing a further decrease in the stability of Hb Hasharon. The relationship between these laboratory findings and previously observed clinical findings associated with Hb Hasharon are discussed.
    07/2009; 8(1):61-73.
  • Article: Hemoglobin Potomac: Clinical Picture, Biosynths and Stability
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: The occurrence of hemoglobin Potomac (8101 Glu→Asp), an abnormal hemoglobin with increased oxygen affinity, has been previously reported in nine members of one kindred (1). We now present the second occurrence of this hemoglobin, in a 26 year old white female of mixed northern European extraction, and report the clinical picture and studies of the stability and biosynthesis of the abnormal hemoglobin.
    07/2009; 2(5):447-451.
  • Article: Molecular Stability and Function of Mouse Hemoglobins
    Kou Uchida, Michael P. Reilly, Toshio Asakura
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: The hemoglobin types of mouse strains can be distinguished according to patterns observed on cellulose acetate electrophoresis. The two common mouse hemoglobin patterns are single and diffuse. The differences in the patterns result from differences in the β-globin chains of the hemoglobin molecules. Mice with the single hemoglobin pattern have one β-globin type identified as β-single (Hbbs), whereas mice with the diffuse hemoglobin pattern have two different β-globin types identified as β-major (Hbbmaj) and β-minor (Hbbmin). We examined the functional and stability properties in these mouse hemoglobins, and the oxygen binding properties of red blood cells obtained from mice with four different hemoglobin phenotypes: Hbbs/Hbbs, Hbbs/Hbbmin, Hbbmin/Hbbmin and Hbbmaj/Hbbmin. The P50, the partial pressure of oxygen at which hemoglobin is half-saturated, of purified forms of Hbbs, Hbbmin and Hbbmaj was 14.8 ± 0.4 mm Hg, 13.3 ± 0.6 mm Hg and 13.6 ± 0.5 mm Hg, respectively. The n value, determined from the slope of the Hill plot was 2.45 to 2.59 for the mouse hemoglobins. The alkaline Bohr effects of purified HbbS, Hbbmin and Hbbmaj were 0.69, 0.61 and 0.60, respectively. The mechanical stability of Hbbs, Hbbmin and Hbbmaj, expressed by the first order kinetic constant, were 0.098 ± 0.01/min, 0.027 ± 0.013/min and 0.27/min, respectively. The P50 of red blood cell suspensions from lines of mice expressing Hbbs/Hbbs, Hbbmin/Hbbmin, Hbbs/Hbbmin and Hbbmaj/Hbbmin were 40.2 ± 1.8 mm Hg, 40.4 ± 1.5 mm Hg, 38.9 ± 1.4 mm Hg, and 38.7 ± 0.9 mm Hg, respectively.
    ZOOLOGICAL SCIENCE 01/2009; · 0.95 Impact Factor
  • Article: Pyridyl derivatives of benzaldehyde as potential antisickling agents.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Compounds that bind to sickle hemoglobin (Hb S) producing an allosteric shift to the high-affinity Hb S that does not polymerize are being developed to treat sickle cell anemia (SCA). In this study, three series of pyridyl derivatives of substituted benzaldehydes (Classes I-III) that combine structural features of two previously determined potent antisickling agents, vanillin and pyridoxal, were synthesized. When analyzed with normal human whole blood, the compounds form Schiff-base adducts with Hb and left shift the oxygen equilibrium curve (OEC) to the more soluble high-affinity Hb, more than vanillin or pyridoxal. Generally, Class-I compounds with an aromatic aldehyde located ortho to the pyridyl substituent are the most potent, followed by the Class-II compounds with the aldehyde at the meta-position. Class-III compounds with the aldehyde at the para position show the weakest activity. The structure-activity studies of these pyridyl derivatives of substituted benzaldehydes demonstrate significant allosteric potency that may be useful for treating SCA.
    Chemistry & Biodiversity 10/2008; 5(9):1762-9. · 1.80 Impact Factor
  • Article: Relationships between MR transverse relaxation parameters R*(2), R(2) and R'(2) and hepatic iron content in thalassemic mice at 1.5 T and 3 T.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Assessment of hepatic iron concentration is important in the management of patients with thalassemia. The goal of this study was to investigate the relationships between the three MR transverse relaxation rates, R*(2), R(2) and R'(2), and hepatic iron content in a mouse model of thalassemia at 1.5 and 3 T field strengths. A GESFIDE (gradient-echo sampling of free induction decay and echo) pulse sequence was used to measure the three parameters efficiently in a single scan in a study examining the livers of normal and thalassemic mice, including a subgroup of the latter that were subjected to periodic transfusions. The results showed that R*(2), R(2) and R'(2) all correlated closely with liver iron concentration at both 1.5 T and 3 T, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.72 to 0.79. High degrees of correlation (r = 0.93-0.99) were also observed among the three MR parameters at both field strengths. It can be concluded that the three rates could all be effective for assessing hepatic iron concentration and that imaging at higher fields may not offer any advantages over that at lower fields.
    NMR in Biomedicine 08/2008; 21(6):574-80. · 3.21 Impact Factor
  • Source
    Article: MRI assessment of lung parenchymal motion in normal mice and transgenic mice with sickle cell disease.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: To test the feasibility of a method to quantify regional pulmonary parenchymal motion via nonrigid registration algorithm at small animal scales. Voxel-wise displacement vector field maps were generated between end-inspiratory and end-expiratory coronal thoracic MR images on normal mice (N = 5) to analyze the magnitude and direction of parenchymal motion in the segmented regions. The analysis was repeated before and after short-term exposure to hypoxia to demonstrate the effect of hypoxia on the respiratory motion in transgenic (Tg) mice with sickle cell disease (SCD) (N = 4). Normal mice revealed that the right and left lungs moved symmetrically but that there was greater movement in the lower regions than in the upper regions. Calculated strain was uniform in the entire lung. In the Tg mice, the pulmonary motion before hypoxia was similar to that observed in the normal mice. Upon exposure to hypoxia, the displacement magnitude reduced and the direction of motion in some areas became distorted. MR quantification of pulmonary motion was feasible in mice and the principle that the method could detect mechanical abnormalities due to pathologic changes was proven. Quantification of pulmonary motion has the potential to lead to earlier disease diagnosis and better monitoring of disease treatments.
    Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging 02/2008; 27(1):49-56. · 2.70 Impact Factor
  • Article: Changes in T1 and T2 observed in brain magnetic resonance imaging with delivery of high concentrations of oxygen.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to clarify the relative contributions of the amount of oxygen in the blood, and vasoconstriction/dilation responsible for changes in T1 and T2 observed in brain during hyperoxia. T1 and T2 values of the cerebral cortex and pituitary gland in mice were determined in room air. After room air was changed to either 100% oxygen (n = 8) or carbogen (n = 8), T1 and T2 values were again determined. Changes in each value with both gases were compared. In both challenges, T1 values of the cerebral cortex decreased, whereas significant T2 prolongation of the cerebral cortex and pituitary gland was demonstrated. However, both cortex and pituitary gland displayed similar responses in T1 and T2 values when exposed to 100% oxygen or carbogen. Reduction of T1 was introduced by the increased amount of dissolved oxygen in blood, and the increased fraction of oxyhemoglobin caused T2 prolongation. The contribution of vasoconstriction/dilation by carbogen to changes in T1 and T2 may be negligible.
    Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography 08/2007; 31(5):662-5. · 1.22 Impact Factor
  • Article: Exposure of blood from patients with sickle cell disease to air changes the morphological, oxygen-binding, and sickling properties of sickled erythrocytes.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: We collected venous blood samples from 7 steady-state patients with homozygous sickle cell disease under venous oxygen pressure without exposure to air (UnExp-blood) and compared the morphological, oxygen-binding, and sickling properties with those of SS cells in aliquots of the same venous blood samples that were oxygenated in room air or at a PO2 near 180 mmHg (Exp-blood). Results showed that (1) upon deoxygenation under nitrogen, UnExp-blood generated a significantly higher percentage of elongated reversibly sickled cells (RSCs) than did Exp-blood; (2) upon gradual oxygenation of completely deoxygenated sickled cells, RSCs in UnExp-blood converted to discocytes at a higher oxygen pressure than did those in Exp-blood; (3) the degree of hysteresis between the sickling/desickling curves of UnExp-blood was greater than that of Exp-blood; and (4) deoxy-Hb S in hemolysate prepared from SS cells in UnExp-blood polymerized without a delay time, while those from Exp-blood polymerized with a distinct delay time. The in vivo properties of RSCs significantly changed upon oxygenation. We also found that the various properties of blood samples collected from patients with SCD by the ordinary method were similar to those of Exp-blood, probably because such blood samples are exposed to oxygen through air in the needle, syringe, and Vacutainer. Once SS cells were oxygenated, the in vivo properties of RSCs could not be recovered by partial deoxygenation to venous oxygen pressure.
    American Journal of Hematology 02/2006; 81(1):26-35. · 4.67 Impact Factor
  • Article: Blood samples collected under venous oxygen pressure from patients with sickle cell disease contain a significant number of a new type of reversibly sickled cells: constancy of the percentage of sickled cells in individual patients during steady state.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: We found various levels of a new type of reversibly sickled cell (RSC) with blunt edges in 44 blood samples obtained from 32 steady-state patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) without exposure to air (UnExp-blood). Because these RSCs could be generated in vitro by partial oxygenation of once-deoxygenated SS cells to venous oxygen pressure, we named them "partially oxygenated sickled cells" (POSCs). These RSCs were classified into elongated and non-elongated RSCs, depending on the ratio of the short axis to long axis. The presence of these cells was previously unknown because the standard blood collection method oxygenates most of the POSCs to discocytes due to oxygen in the air space in the needle, syringe, and blood collection tube (Exp-blood). Although the shape of elongated POSCs is similar to that of irreversibly sickled cells (ISCs), POSCs revert to discocytes upon exposure to air. We found the following: (1) the percentage of total sickled cells (total POSCs + ISCs) in UnExp-blood (29.0 +/- 14.5%) was significantly higher than the percentage of sickled cells (mainly ISCs) in Exp-blood (7.3 +/- 5.7%); (2) the percentage of sickled cells in UnExp-blood was specific to individual patients during steady state, while it decreased at the onset of a vaso-occlusive event; and (3) the percentage of sickled cells in UnExp-blood varied widely among steady-state patients (4-56%). This new type of RSC may be used as an internal biomarker to evaluate the disease state of individual patients.
    American Journal of Hematology 01/2006; 80(4):249-56. · 4.67 Impact Factor
  • Article: Modulation of erythrocyte arginase activity in sickle cell disease patients during hydroxyurea therapy.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: An elevated erythrocyte arginase activity with a corresponding decrease in nitric oxide (NO) level has been implicated in the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease (SCD). Recent studies have shown that hydroxyurea (HU) increases the production of NO, which increases the soluble guanylate cyclase activity and fetal haemoglobin (HbF) synthesis. To study the effects of HU on the arginase and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activities in SCD patients, we compared levels of arginase activity and NO metabolites in red blood cells and plasma, respectively, from 23 patients with SCD (HbSS) receiving HU therapy, with those of 12 SCD patients not receiving HU treatment. Patients on HU therapy showed significantly lower arginase activity than that of HbSS patients not on HU therapy (1.36+/-0.2 U/10(8) cells vs. 3.31+/-0.29 U/10(8) cells). NOS activity was higher in patients on HU therapy than in untreated patients (0.72+/-0.4 nmol/ml/min vs. 0.35+/-0.15 nmol/ml/min, P<0.05). Among the HU-treated patients, the decreased level of arginase activity correlated (r=0.71) with HbF level as well as the mean corpuscular haemoglobin content. These data suggest that one of the beneficial effects of HU in vivo may involve the regulation of arginase activity and a concomitant induction of NOS activity, which may lead to an increased production of NO. The outcome of this study may lead to the development of improved NO-based treatments for SCD.
    British Journal of Haematology 11/2005; 131(3):389-94. · 4.94 Impact Factor
  • Article: Sickle cell disease: current therapeutic approaches
    Osheiza Abdulmalik, Daniel Obeng, Toshio Asakura
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder characterised by polymerisation of deoxygenated intracellular sickle haemoglobin (HbS), leading to the deformation of red blood cells (RBC) and the assumption of various sickled shapes. These rigid sickled cells trigger a cascade of vaso-occlusive events, including local inflammation and endothelial injury, leading to painful episodes, chronic haemolytic anaemia and possible end-organ damage and premature mortality. As the first disease whose genetic aetiology was defined more than half century ago, SCD has attracted a great deal of attention from many scientists and researchers worldwide. This has led to major insights into the natural history of SCD, the pathophysiological importance of polymerisation of deoxygenated HbS, and approaches directed towards the prophylaxis or treatment of the complications associated with the disease. Despite such advances, medical management still remains suboptimal and SCD continues to be a significant cause of mortality, morbidity and health disparities worldwide. Hydroxyurea (HU), a potent inducer of fetal haemoglobin (HbF) that inhibits HbS polymerisation, is currently the only approved therapeutic agent for SCD therapy, but its long-term benefits and toxicities are controversial and are still being investigated. Over the past few decades, other novel mechanisms of SCD pathophysiology have been identified in addition to HbS polymerisation. Several of these mechanisms present appropriate targets for drug development and novel therapy for SCD. This article presents a review of potential candidate drugs that have been recently studied and patented as possible pharmacological treatment/management options for SCD.
    10/2005; 15(11):1497-1506.
  • Article: Drug therapy for sickle cell disease
    Efemwonkiekie W Iyamu, Toshio Asakura
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: The hallmarks of sickle cell disease (SCD) are sickling-induced chronic haemolytic anaemia and acute painful events due to vaso-occlusion by rigid sickled cells. Repeated vaso-occlusive events may eventually lead to organ damage or death among patients with SCD. Several interrelated factors that may trigger sickling-dependent vaso-occlusion in SCD include infection, fever, dehydration, the density of red blood cells (RBCs), anomalies of the RBC membrane, blood viscosity and endothelial cell adhesion. In view of the remarkable advances in the understanding of the roles of these factors in the pathogenesis of SCD, attempts are being made to modulate these factors by targeting them with appropriate agents. To date, the most successful treatments of SCD include the pharmacological induction of fetal haemoglobin (Hb F) expression using hydroxyurea (HU) or butyrate and its derivatives. However, side effects and poor drug efficacy of some of these agents remain as an obstacle for many patients. In this review, promising agents that have been patented for possible therapeutic use in the treatment/management of SCD will be summarised. New therapeutic agents that have been patented in the last 5 years for possible treatment and management of SCD are catalogued with emphasis placed on new agents that are thought to induce Hb F synthesis or modify either sickle haemoglobin (Hb S) or intact sickle erythrocytes.
    03/2005; 13(6):807-813.
  • Article: Structures of R- and T-state hemoglobin Bassett: elucidating the structural basis for the low oxygen affinity of a mutant hemoglobin.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: The crystal structures of R- and T-state hemoglobin (Hb) Bassett have been determined to 2.15 and 1.80 A resolution, respectively. Physiologically, Hb Bassett (alphaAsp94-->Ala) is characterized by a low affinity for oxygen, a reduced Bohr effect and low cooperativity, as well as being slightly unstable (compared with normal adult hemoglobin; HbA). Comparisons between the Hb Bassett structures and previously determined R- and T-state HbA structures revealed that this mutant shares similar tertiary and quaternary structures with other Hbs. However, this analysis did identify localized structural differences between R-state Hb Bassett and R-state HbA at the alpha1beta2 (alpha2beta1) dimer interface and at the beta-cleft. Specifically, the beta-FG corner has shifted closer to the alpha-C helix in the mutant R structure. In addition, four intersubunit hydrogen bonds found at the alpha1beta2 interfaces of native R-state Hb structures are abolished or weakened and subsequently replaced by two new intersubunit hydrogen bonds in R-state Hb Bassett. Remarkably, the newly formed hydrogen bonds in the R-state mutant structure are also observed in T-state Hb structures. At the beta-cleft, betaHis46, which is known to contribute to the Bohr effect in Hb, makes a unique hydrogen-bonding interaction with betaAsn139 in the R-state Hb Bassett. Unlike the R-state mutant, the T-state Hb Bassett structure does not display any significant structural changes at both the alpha1beta2 (alpha2beta1) dimer interface and the beta-cleft. Quite significantly, the mutation has led to removal of an interdimer repulsion involving alpha1Asp94 and beta2Asp99. The R- and T-state structures of Hb Bassett suggest a stereochemical basis for the observed functional properties of this mutant.
    Acta Crystallographica Section D Biological Crystallography 03/2005; 61(Pt 2):156-62. · 12.62 Impact Factor
  • Article: 1/T2 and magnetic susceptibility measurements in a gerbil cardiac iron overload model.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: To measure the transverse relaxation rate (1/T2) and magnetic susceptibility of the heart in conditions of iron overload by using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and to correlate these with the tissue iron concentration in a gerbil model. With prior approval by the institutional animal care and use committee, iron overload was induced with one to 15 weekly subcutaneous injections of iron dextran. Nine gerbils had one to five injections, 10 had six to 10, and eight had 13-15. T2 of the whole heart was measured ex vivo (n=27), and the magnetic susceptibility of the tissue was estimated through measurement of the tissue lysate (n=25). The iron level was measured (in milligrams of iron per gram of wet tissue) with chemical analysis after MR imaging. While 1/T2 and magnetic susceptibility are not equivalent measures of the chemically determined tissue iron level, correlations were expected and were identified by using linear regression models. Iron concentration range was 0.28-1.95 mg/g wet tissue. Iron concentration was strongly correlated with 1/T2 (r=0.92, P <.001, and the root of the mean squares error of the linear prediction, epsilonRMS, was 0.17 mg Fe/g wet tissue with a repetition time of 700 msec). Iron concentration also was strongly correlated with magnetic susceptibility (r=0.90, P <.001, epsilonRMS=0.19 mg Fe/g wet tissue). Multiple regression analysis with combined 1/T2 (with repetition time of 700 msec) and magnetic susceptibility data led to a slight increase in r and decrease in epsilon(RMS) (r=0.93, P <.001, epsilonRMS=0.16 mg Fe/g wet tissue). The results of this animal model study demonstrate that 1/T2 and magnetic susceptibility values can be used for estimation of the iron level in the heart.
    Radiology 03/2005; 234(3):749-55. · 5.73 Impact Factor
  • Article: 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural modifies intracellular sickle haemoglobin and inhibits sickling of red blood cells.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: In an attempt to find new types of anti-sickling agents that specifically bind to intracellular sickle haemoglobin (HbS) without inhibition by plasma and tissue proteins or other undesirable consequences, we identified 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural (5HMF), a naturally occurring aromatic aldehyde, as an agent that fulfils this criterion. Preliminary studies in vitro showed that 5HMF forms a high-affinity Schiff-base adduct with HbS and inhibits red cell sickling by allosterically shifting oxygen equilibrium curves towards the left. Further studies with transgenic (Tg) sickle mice showed that orally administered 5HMF was rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream from the gastrointestinal tract without being destroyed, traversed the red blood cell membrane and specifically bound with, and modified, HbS molecules at levels as high as 90%. Pretreatment of Tg sickle mice with 5HMF inhibited the formation of sickle cells and significantly prolonged survival time under severe hypoxia, compared with untreated mice, which died within 15 min because of sickling-dependent pulmonary sequestration. These results indicate the feasibility of 5HMF as an attractive potential candidate for therapy of sickle cell disease.
    British Journal of Haematology 03/2005; 128(4):552-61. · 4.94 Impact Factor
  • Article: Characterization of hemoglobin bassett (alpha94Asp-->Ala), a variant with very low oxygen affinity.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Hemoglobin (Hb) Bassett, an abnormal Hb variant with a markedly reduced oxygen affinity, was discovered in a Caucasian (Anglo-Saxon) male child who experienced episodes of cyanosis. Cation-exchange and reversed-phase (RP) high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed that the patient has an abnormal Hb, with a mutation in the alpha-globin. Tryptic peptide digest of the abnormal alpha-globin with subsequent HPLC analysis revealed abnormal elution of the alpha-T11 peptide. Further studies with Edman sequencing and electrospray mass spectrometry of tryptic peptide alpha-T11, as well as structural analysis by X-ray crystallography revealed an Asp-->Ala substitution at the alpha94 (G1) position, a match for Hb Bassett. Detailed functional studies showed that this Hb variant had a markedly reduced oxygen affinity (P(50) at pH 7.0 = 22 mmHg; Hb A P(50) = 10.5 mmHg), reduced Bohr effect (-0.26 compared to - 0.54 in Hb A), and low subunit cooperativity (n = 1.4, compared to 2.6 in Hb A). X-ray crystallography results explain the probable effects of the structural modification on the oxygen-binding properties of this Hb variant.
    American Journal of Hematology 12/2004; 77(3):268-76. · 4.67 Impact Factor
  • Article: Structural basis for the potent antisickling effect of a novel class of five-membered heterocyclic aldehydic compounds.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Naturally occurring five-membered heterocyclic aldehydes, including 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural, increase the oxygen affinity of hemoglobin (Hb) and strongly inhibit the sickling of homozygous sickle red blood (SS) cells. X-ray studies of Hb complexed with these compounds indicate that they form Schiff base adducts in a symmetrical fashion with the N-terminal alphaVal1 nitrogens of Hb. Interestingly, two cocrystal types were isolated during crystallization experiments with deoxygenated Hb (deoxyHb): one crystal type was composed of the low-affinity or tense (T) state Hb quaternary structure; the other crystal type was composed of high-affinity or relaxed state Hb (with a R2 quaternary structure). The R2 crystal appears to be formed as a result of the aldehydes binding to fully or partially ligated Hb in the deoxyHb solution. Repeated attempts to crystallize the compounds with liganded Hb failed, except on rare occasions when very few R state crystals were obtained. Oxygen equilibrium, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), antisickling, and X-ray studies suggest that the examined heterocyclic aldehydes may be acting to prevent polymerization of sickle hemoglobin (HbS) by binding to and stabilizing liganded Hb in the form of R2 and/or various relaxed state Hbs, as well as binding to and destabilizing unliganded T state Hb. The proposed mechanism may provide a general model for the antisickling effects of aldehyde containing small molecules that bind to N-terminal alphaVal1 nitrogens of Hb. The examined compounds also represent a new class of potentially therapeutic agents for treating sickle cell disease (SCD).
    Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 10/2004; 47(19):4665-76. · 5.25 Impact Factor

Institutions

  • 2001–2011
    • The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
      • Division of Hematology
      Philadelphia, PA, USA
  • 2009
    • University of Pennsylvania
      • Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
      Philadelphia, PA, USA
  • 2008
    • University of Virginia
      • Department of Medicine
      Charlottesville, VA, USA
  • 2007
    • University of Fukui
      • Division of Radiology
      Fukui-shi, Fukui-ken, Japan
  • 2005
    • Children's Mercy Hospital
      Kansas City, MO, USA