Ever
wondered how whales can stay underwater for so long? Scientists from
the University of Liverpool might be able to tell you the answer!
Myoglobin is an oxygen-binding protein which gives meat its reddish
colour. In elite diving mammals (such as whales), the concentration of
myoglobin in muscle tissue is so high that the muscle is almost black in
colour. However, at such high concentrations, proteins
tend to aggregate together, which deteriorates their function. Up till
now, not much was known about how mammalian divers overcame this
obstacle.
The researchers took an in-depth (no pun intended)
look at the “electrical charge on the surface of” the myoglobin
molecule. They noticed that mammals that spent longer periods underwater
had a greater amount of electrical charge on the surface of the
myoglobin molecule. This trend even applied to semi aquatic mammals!
This suggests that the electrical charges in the molecules cause them to
repel one another, effectively cancelling out the aggregation problem.
So with higher electrical charge on the molecules, a diving mammal can
afford to have a higher concentration of myoglobin in muscles.
After identifying this molecular signature, the researchers mapped it
out on the mammalian phylogenetic tree. Then, they reconstructed the
muscle oxygen stores, and therefore diving capacity, of extinct
ancestors of modern mammals. This in-turn allows us to understand the
predatory opportunities that existed in ancient aquatic habitats.
From a medical perspective, this research is also important because it
could help us understand diseases such as diabetes and Alzheimer’s,
where the proteins’ clumping together becomes a problem. It can also aid
in the creation of artificial blood substitutes, where protein
aggregation must be taken into account.
Read all about it: http://bit.ly/19w6ayi
Image URL: http://bit.ly/19GJ1EU
Ever
wondered how whales can stay underwater for so long? Scientists from
the University of Liverpool might be able to tell you the answer!
Myoglobin is an oxygen-binding protein which gives meat its reddish colour. In elite diving mammals (such as whales), the concentration of myoglobin in muscle tissue is so high that the muscle is almost black in colour. However, at such high concentrations, proteins tend to aggregate together, which deteriorates their function. Up till now, not much was known about how mammalian divers overcame this obstacle.
The researchers took an in-depth (no pun intended) look at the “electrical charge on the surface of” the myoglobin molecule. They noticed that mammals that spent longer periods underwater had a greater amount of electrical charge on the surface of the myoglobin molecule. This trend even applied to semi aquatic mammals! This suggests that the electrical charges in the molecules cause them to repel one another, effectively cancelling out the aggregation problem. So with higher electrical charge on the molecules, a diving mammal can afford to have a higher concentration of myoglobin in muscles.
After identifying this molecular signature, the researchers mapped it out on the mammalian phylogenetic tree. Then, they reconstructed the muscle oxygen stores, and therefore diving capacity, of extinct ancestors of modern mammals. This in-turn allows us to understand the predatory opportunities that existed in ancient aquatic habitats.
From a medical perspective, this research is also important because it could help us understand diseases such as diabetes and Alzheimer’s, where the proteins’ clumping together becomes a problem. It can also aid in the creation of artificial blood substitutes, where protein aggregation must be taken into account.
Read all about it: http://bit.ly/19w6ayi
Image URL: http://bit.ly/19GJ1EU
Myoglobin is an oxygen-binding protein which gives meat its reddish colour. In elite diving mammals (such as whales), the concentration of myoglobin in muscle tissue is so high that the muscle is almost black in colour. However, at such high concentrations, proteins tend to aggregate together, which deteriorates their function. Up till now, not much was known about how mammalian divers overcame this obstacle.
The researchers took an in-depth (no pun intended) look at the “electrical charge on the surface of” the myoglobin molecule. They noticed that mammals that spent longer periods underwater had a greater amount of electrical charge on the surface of the myoglobin molecule. This trend even applied to semi aquatic mammals! This suggests that the electrical charges in the molecules cause them to repel one another, effectively cancelling out the aggregation problem. So with higher electrical charge on the molecules, a diving mammal can afford to have a higher concentration of myoglobin in muscles.
After identifying this molecular signature, the researchers mapped it out on the mammalian phylogenetic tree. Then, they reconstructed the muscle oxygen stores, and therefore diving capacity, of extinct ancestors of modern mammals. This in-turn allows us to understand the predatory opportunities that existed in ancient aquatic habitats.
From a medical perspective, this research is also important because it could help us understand diseases such as diabetes and Alzheimer’s, where the proteins’ clumping together becomes a problem. It can also aid in the creation of artificial blood substitutes, where protein aggregation must be taken into account.
Read all about it: http://bit.ly/19w6ayi
Image URL: http://bit.ly/19GJ1EU
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