X-ray crystallographic studies on structure and fucntion of hemocyanins.

Hemocyanin is the oxygen transport pigment in many arthropods and molluscs. In this respect, hemocyanin has the same function as hemoglobin has in many other organisms. This functional homology has resulted in the development of a number of special properties in both protein classes, e.g. cooperative oxygen binding, regulation by several allosteric effectors and the aggegation into muli-meric complexes. However, the molecular basis by which hemocyanins and hemoglobins achieve these properties is completely different. ... Zie: Summar