Bohr Effect - Effects of Cooperativity

Effects of Cooperativity

The Bohr effect is dependent on cooperative interactions between the hemes of the hemoglobin tetramer. This is evidenced by the fact that myoglobin, a monomer with no cooperativity, does not exhibit the Bohr effect. Hemoglobin mutants with weaker cooperativity may exhibit a reduced Bohr effect.

In the Hiroshima variant hemoglobinopathy, cooperativity in hemoglobin is reduced, and the Bohr effect is diminished. During periods of exercise, the mutant hemoglobin has a higher affinity for oxygen and tissue may suffer minor oxygen starvation.

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