Metal phthalocyanine substituted hemoglobins. Complexes of manganese and zinc tetrasulfonated phthalocyanines with apohemoglobin.

Artificial hemoglobins have been prepared with Mn(III) and Zn(II) tetrasulfonated phthalocyanines in place of heme. Their structure and properties have been investigated by difference spectroscopy, CD, epr, electrophoresis, and molecular weight estimation. Spectrophotometric titration data indicate the ratio of the reagents in this process to be 1:1. The visible absorption spectra show the main peak at 625 nm for the manganese compound and 681 nm for the zinc one. It is evident from CD experiments that incorporation of MN(III)L into apohemoglobin increases helical content of the protein whereas that of Zn(II)L increases its unfolding due to the change of electronic configuration of Zn(II) ion on coordination with the protein. On the basis of spectroscopic and epr data, the formula of the manganese complex is suggested to be (O)Mn(IV)L-globin, whereas that of the zinc complex Zn(II)L-globin. Electrophoresis and molecular weight estimation indicate both complexes to be dimers. Manganese complex binds additional ligands as CN-, imidazole, CO, and NO. Spectroscopic and epr data indicate reduction of the manganese complex and formation of the NO adduct with probable formula (NO) + Mn(II)L-globin. Mechanism of this process is suggested. Both phthalocyanine globins are not able to combine reversibly with oxygen and cannot act as physiological oxygen carriers.