Question

BPG is an allosteric effector of hemoglobin. Define and explain what this means.

Answer 1

BPG stands for 2,3-Bisphosphoglycerate(2,3-BPG), and found in human red blood cells. It affects the dioxygen
binding of hemoglobin by binding with it in the deoxy form. It is called allosteric effector (hetero-tropic allosteric effector), because the binding of BPG to hemoglobin causes the alteration of binding affinity of hemoglobin
towards oxygen. As it binds with deoxy form of hemoglobin, hence it reduces the oxygen affinity of hemoglobin.
Although excess of BPG reduces the oxygen binding affinity of hemoglobin, it makes the proteins more efficient
in delivering oxygen to the tissues.