Quaternary structure and spin equilibria in ferric hemoglobins. A room temperature study.

The effective magnetic moments for a number of human and carp methemoglobin derivatives were determined in solution at room temperature. The data permit us to confirm the dependence of the spin-state equilibrium of azide methemoglobin on the quaternary state of the hemoglobin and to demonstrate a similar dependence for both human and carp aquomethemoglobin. In addition, the pH dependence of the effective magnetic moment and the Soret spectrum of carp azide-methemoglobin are compared.