Evolution of Mammalian Diving Capacity Traced by Myoglobin Net Surface Charge

Abstract

Holding Your Breath Hemoglobin and myoglobin are widely responsible for oxygen transport and storage (see the Perspective by Rezende ). The ability of diving mammals to obtain enough oxygen to support extended dives and foraging is largely dependent on muscle myoglobin (Mb) content. Mirceta et al. (p. 1234192 ) found that in mammalian lineages with an aquatic or semiaquatic lifestyle, Mb net charge increases, which may represent an adaptation to inhibit self-association of Mb at high intracellular concentrations. Epistasis results from nonadditive genetic interactions and can affect phenotypic evolution. Natarajan et al. (p. 1324 ) found that epistatic interactions were able to explain the increased hemoglobin oxygen-binding affinity observed in deer mice populations at high altitude. In mammals, the offloading of oxygen from hemoglobin is facilitated by a reduction in the blood's pH, driven by metabolically produced CO 2 . However, in fish, a reduction in blood pH reduces oxygen carrying capacity of hemoglobin. Rummer et al. (p. 1327 ) implanted fiber optic oxygen sensors within the muscles of rainbow trout and found that elevated CO 2 levels in the water led to acidosis and elevated oxygen tensions.