myoglobin Biochem.
(maɪəˈgləʊbɪn)
[a. G. myoglobin (H. Günther 1921, in Virchows Arch. f. path. Anat. und Physiol. CCXXX. 150), f. myo- myo- + globin globin.]
A red protein responsible for the transport of oxygen in muscle cells, which differs from hæmoglobin in containing only one hæm group and one peptide chain in its molecule (instead of four of each) and in having a much greater affinity for oxygen.
| 1925 Proc. R. Soc. B. XCVIII. 332 This difference does not justify, however, the introduction of the names ‘myochrome’ or ‘myoglobin’ for muscle hæmoglobin proposed respectively by Mörner and Günther. 1956 New Biol. XXI. 45 Muscles contain myoglobin, a compound related to haemoglobin which takes up oxygen released by haemoglobin..and stores it for use in time of oxygen shortage. 1958 Manch. Guardian Weekly 2 Oct. 12 J. C. Kendrew's molecular model of myoglobin, derived from the first successful X-ray analysis of a protein molecule ever to be made, aroused tremendous interest at the Congress [of Biochemistry at Vienna]. 1968 Passmore & Robson Compan. Med. Stud. I. xv. 11/2 Myoglobin can pick up and store in the cells the oxygen brought by the blood even when the circulation is too inadequate to maintain a high oxygen tension in the tissue fluid interposed between capillaries and muscle cells. |