Cancer pagurus hemocyanin: subunit arrangement and subunit evolution in functional polymeric forms

1. 1. The subunit composition of Cancer pagurus hemocyanin hexamers and dodecamers, previously isolated, are analyzed by immunochemical techniques. 2. 2. Subunits I and II, and homodimer of I are observed in both hexameric and dodecameric forms whereas an additional subunit III is only present in dodecamers. 3. 3. Molecular models are proposed for the functional polymeric forms. 4. 4. Conservative domains in hemocyanin subunits of two close related species, Cancer pagurus and Macropipus puber, are evidenced by immunochemical comparison.