Temperature adaptation of fish hemoglobins reflected in rates of autoxidation.

Observation of rapid autoxidation of oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) from a deep-sea fish (Co-ryphaenoides acrolepis) prompted a survey of rates of autoxidation of HbO2 to methemoglobin in vitro from fishes inhabiting vastly different depths (1 to 3800 m) in order to discover any relationship between autoxidation rates and different environmental temperatures and pressures to which hemoglobins may be adapted. The rate of autoxidation was found to be sensitive to temperature in both deep- and shallow-living fishes. Hemoglobin appears to be thermally adapted since autoxidation was 10 times faster at all temperatures tested with HbO2 obtained from a cold-adapted fish (Coryphaenoides armatus variabilis) than from a comparatively warm-adapted one (Paralabrax nebulifer). High hydrostatic pressure does not affect autoxidation rates in either deep- or shallow-dwelling species. Rates of autoxidation may be intimately related to hemoglobin function thus providing a means for studying hemoglobin adaptation in poikilothermic vertebrates, especially among cold-adapted species.