Processing of the lipocalin alpha(1)-microglobulin by hemoglobin induces heme-binding and heme-degradation properties.
alpha(1)-Microglobulin is a 26-kd protein, widespread in plasma and tissues and well-conserved among vertebrates. alpha(1)-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 a
