Chapter 5, Problem 16P

Answers to all problems are at the end of this book. Detailed solutions are available in the Student Solutions Manual, Study Guide, and Problems Book.

Table 5.4 presents some of the many known mutations in the genes encoding the a- and $\beta$-globin subunits of hemoglobin.

a. Some of these mutations affect subunit interactions between the Subunits. In an examination of the tertiary structure of globin chains, where would you expect to find amino acid changes in mutant globins that affect formation of the hemoglobin ${\alpha }_2{\beta }_2$quaternary structure?

b. Other mutations, such as the S form of theβ-globin chain, increase the tendency of hemoglobin tetramers to polymerize into very large structures. Where might you expect the amino acid substitutions to be in these mutants?