Binding of 21 thiol reagents to human hemoglobin in solution and in intact cells.

The reactivity of the cysteine-beta 93 residue of human hemoglobin was investigated in order to define the optimal structure of potential antisickling agents. The properties of 21 thiol reagents were compared with regard to (a) their binding rate to hemoglobin in solution and within intact cells; (b) the modification of the oxygen dissociation curve of intact cells and (c) the effect on methemoglobin formation in solution or within intact cells. The results show the very different behaviors of these reagents.