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SynopsisThe proton magnetic relaxation time, 2'1, has been measured at 29 MHz in 0.1M KH2P04 and 0.1M NaCl (both pH 6 ) aqueous solutions of human ferrihaemoglobin, the protein concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 5 mM per haem. The linear dependence on protein concentration of the enhancement in relaxation rates, A(l/Tl), due to the presence of the paramagnetic iron in haemoglobin was confirmed at 34°C and a t -10°C. In the middle temperature range there is a thermally activated process, whose energy of activation depends on protein concentration. This dependence is different for the two salt solutions; E , increases with CHb for O.1M KH2POr and decreases for 0.1M NaCl.The model of water-proton exchange between the bulk solvent and the sixth coordination site of the haem iron was used to calculate the distance from the "liganded" water protons to the haem iron. This yields distances much larger than those determined by X-ray crystal structure analysis. A model is proposed which reconciliates both types of data. The low-temperature relaxation rates cannot be used in deriving quantitative stereochemical data for the haem pocket because of its special shape.Irrespective of the molecular model adopted, the experimental results show clearly that, both a t low (-1OOC) and higher (>34"C) temperatures, the interaction of paramagnetic haem iron with water protons is practically the same for the two aqueous solutions. The dynamic state of the haemoglobin molecule, as indicated by the middle-temperature range, is completely different in 0.1M KH2POl and 0.144 NaC1, pH 6.

A b stract-Proton conductivity is established by solid State electrolysis experiments on borax powder. T here is m arked anisotropy in electrical conductivity, the 6-axis-direction of a single crystal being the m ost favourable one for protonic conduction. A m inim um tem perature (~ 21 °C) is observed, below which proton conduction ceases. T his effect is discussed in relation to the competition between the reorientation rate of protons and their concentration.