Light-scattering investigation of the subunit structure and sequential dissociation of Homarus americanus hemocyanin

The hemocyanin of the North American lobster Homarus americanus has a dodecameric subunit structure organized from two basic hexameric units characteristic of arthropod species. Various neutral salts and ureas have been found to dissociate this hemocyanin. The molecular weight profiles studied as a function of reagent concentration and constant hemocyanin concentration, using light-scattering intensity methods, suggest a two-step reaction of dissociation and assembly of the functional dodecameric protein.