Multiple nature of polymers of deoxyhemoglobin S prepared by different methods.

Studies on the aggregation of deoxy-Hb S in concentrated phosphate buffer revealed the formation of three types of polymers, the difference depending on the method employed for polymerization: 1) random or linear polymers without birefringence, 2) helical polymers with birefringence, and 3) crystals. Random or linear polymers were formed when oversaturated deoxy-Hb S was polymerized by the so-called salting out or isothermal method. Helical polymers were formed when oversaturated deoxy-Hb S (120% of the solubility) was polymerized by the temperature jump method. Crystals were formed preferentially by agitation of the sample during the polymerization below 12 degrees C. The solubilities of deoxy-Hb S measured after preparation of these three types of polymers were different, as were the activation energies for the formation of the three polymers. When a mixture of deoxy- and CO-Hb S was crystallized, the crystalline phase did not contain CO-Hb S molecules. To study the relationship among these three types of polymers and red cell sickling, the morphology of erythrocytes was studied after deoxygenation by several different methods. When erythrocytes were prepared by deoxygenation with 2% sodium dithionite at 30 degrees C, a condition similar to that for the isothermal method, red cells did not form the typical sickle shape but rather an irregular shape. In contrast, with the same experiments carried out by using the temperature jump method, typical sickle-shaped cells were formed. These data suggest that the morphological difference may be attributed to the different types of polymers formed inside erythrocytes.