AUTOASSEMBLY OF A HYBRID HETERODIMER FROM ISOLATED HEMOCYANIN SUBUNITS OF 2 SCORPION SPECIES

1. Two heterodimeric subunits required for the autoassembly of the 4 x 6 meric hemocyanins from the scorpions Scorpio maurus and Androctonus mauretanicus were prepared. 2. When mixed and dialyzed against 3.5 M urea at pH 8.9, the heterodimers Am 3C-5B and Smd-e dissociate into mo nomers. 3. After removing urea and lowering the pH, the reassembly pro cess produces a hybrid heterodimer containing one subunit from each sp ecies. 4. When incubated with the monomers of each species, the hybrid retains the properties of the authentic heterodimers to promote the r eassembly of native-like hemocyanins. 5. With the Scorpio monomers the autoassembly promoted by the hybrid heterodimer continues beyond the 4 x 6 meric level.