Structure of mutant human carbonmonoxy­hemoglobin C (βE6K) at 2.0 Å resolution

The first high-resolution crystal structure for liganded hemoglobin C, a mutant hemoglobin that forms crystals in red blood cells of individuals with CC and SC diseases, was obtained from a COHbC crystal grown in concentrated potassium phosphate buffer. The dynamic structure of the βEK6 side chain could potentially support a number of specific polar interactions that may contribute to enhanced nucleation kinetics for HbC relative to HbA.