Plenary paper Processing of the lipocalin a1-microglobulin by hemoglobin induces heme-binding and heme-degradation properties

a1-Microglobulin is a 26-kd protein, widespread in plasma and tissues and wellconserved among vertebrates. a1-Microglobulin belongs to the lipocalins, a protein superfamily with highly conserved 3-dimensional structures, forming an internal ligand binding pocket. The protein, isolated from urine, has a heterogeneous yellow-brown chromophore bound covalently to amino acid side groups around the entrance of the lipocalin pocket. a1Microglobulin is found in blood both in free form and complex-bound to immunoglobulin A (IgA) via a half-cystine residue at position 34. It is shown here that an a1-microglobulin species, which we name t–a1-microglobulin (t 5 truncated), with a free Cys34 thiol group, lacking its Cterminal tetrapeptide, LIPR, and with a more polar environment around the entrance of the lipocalin pocket, is released from IgA–a1-microglobulin as well as from free a1-microglobulin when exposed to the cytosolic side of erythrocyte membranes or to purified oxyhemoglobin. The processed t–a1-microglobulin binds heme and the a1-microglobulin–heme complex shows a time-dependent spectral rearrangement, suggestive of degradation of heme concomitantly with formation of a heterogeneous chromophore associated with the protein. The processed t–a1-microglobulin is found in normal and pathologic human urine, indicating that the cleavage process occurs in vivo. The results suggest that a1-microglobulin is involved in extracellular heme catabolism. (Blood. 2002;99:1894-1901)