Introduction - This script shows the 1.74 Angstrom structure of human
deoxyhemoglobin. Scroll down until the text corresponding to the view
is visible. (Based on 2HHB.pdb, G. Fermi et al., J. Mol. Biol.
175 159 (1984)).
Hemoglobin is a tetramer (ribbons) and each subunit has a bound HEME
(spacefilling).
There are two ALPHA
subunits.
and two BETA
subunits.
Notice how tightly the four subunits interact with each other at most
of the interface. However, there is a prominent hole down the middle
of the molecule. Also, only the outer edge of the Heme
is exposed to the solvent.