A high resolution structure of the hemalbumin binding complex is provided
which includes the detailed atomic coordinates which reflect the binding
site and the binding characteristics of the structure. This high
resolution structure can be used in methods of determining the primary
residues involved in gas binding, redox potential of iron, etc., and thus
will be used to identify and optimize the gas binding characteristics of
heme and albumin, so as to allow for the development of modified
recombinant albumins containing heme and/or heme derivatives which have
improved gas binding properties and which can be used for therapeutic
purposes.