Investigation of the tetramer-dimer equilibrium in haemoglobin solutions by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography on a diol column.

High-performance size-exclusion chromatography on a diol grafted column was applied to study the tetramer-dimer equilibrium in haemoglobin solution. Human haemoglobin A, isolated alpha A and beta A subunits and haemoglobin variants with structural modifications located at the interface between subunits were used as models. The elution volume of the subunits was found to deviate strongly from that expected from only a gel permeation mechanism and therefore ionic interactions are likely to participate in the protein retention. Experimental results and computer simulation indicate that the individual elution bands corresponding to the discrete components (tetramer, dimer, monomer) can be resolved under certain conditions. In general both the equilibrium and kinetic interconversion parameters must be considered. Single tetramer elution bands were observed from haemoglobin in the concentration range measurable, although the influence of dimers could be seen in the shape and shift of the profile. beta Chains showed resolved peaks for the tetramer-dimer forms.