Recombinant hbb2 demonstrates oxygen-binding properties modulated by organic phosphates and pH:
GTP Sensitivity: GTP reduces oxygen affinity by 70% and eliminates the reverse Bohr effect (where oxygen affinity increases with acidity) .
Root Effect: Acidification induces oxygen release (PO₂ increases by 7–8× in rete mirabile), critical for swimbladder gas secretion .
CO₂ Transport: Aquaporins in gas gland cells facilitate CO₂ diffusion, enhancing proton release and Root effect activation .
hbb2 is part of a teleost-specific hemoglobin diversification driven by whole-genome duplication (WGD):
Gene Clusters: Teleost hemoglobin genes reside in two chromosomal regions:
Evolutionary Adaptations:
Recombinant hbb2 is used to study: