Encyclopedia Of Metalloproteins

Beginning biology students are introduced to the macromolecules of the cell (proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and carbohydrates) as being the key players in cellular function. What is disturbingly deceptive about this picture is that it makes no reference to the many ion species without which cells could not function at all. Ions have a huge variety of roles in cells. Several of our favorites include the role of ions in electrical communication (Na+, K+, Ca2+), as cofactors in dictating protein function with entire classes of metalloproteins (constituting by some estimates at least of all proteins) in processes ranging from photosynthesis to human respiration (Mn2+, Mg2+, Fe2+), as a stimulus for signaling and muscle action (Ca2+), and as the basis for setting up transmembrane potentials that are then used to power key processes such as ATP synthesis (H+, Na+).

Encyclopedia of Metalloproteins

Manesis, A. C.; Jodts, R. J.; Hoffman, B. M.; Rosenzweig, A. C. Copper binding by a unique family of metalloproteins is dependent on kynurenine formation. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2021, 118, e2100680118. 041b061a72