WEB FOCUS
Metalloproteins
In this focus
Proteins that contain transition metals are involved in a wide range of biologically-important processes, including natural product and cofactor biosynthesis, histone demethylation, and methane oxidation. For this reason, many chemists and biologists are determined to understand the mechanisms and the cellular roles of these remarkable enzymes. In addition, this knowledge can inspire bio-inorganic chemists to synthesize small-molecule catalysts based on the metal-containing active sites of these proteins. To highlight this exciting field, this Nature web focus presents a selection of recently published papers and an archive that explore the structures, mechanisms, and biological activities of several unusual metalloproteins.
Current research
LETTERS
The PerR transcription factor senses H2O2 by metal-catalysed histidine oxidation Free access
Jin-Won Lee and John D. Helmann
Nature 440, 363 - 367 (16 March 2006) doi:10.1038/nature04537
Abstract | Full Text | PDF (452KB) | Supplementary Information
LETTERS
Crystal structure of the non-haem iron halogenase SyrB2 in syringomycin biosynthesis Free access
Leah C. Blasiak et al.
Nature 440, 368 - 371 (16 March 2006) doi:10.1038/nature04544
Abstract | Full Text | PDF (452KB) | Supplementary Information
Top of page
Web links
- The Scripps Institute Metalloprotein Database and Browser
- Society for Biological Inorganic Chemistry
- Bio-inorganic Chemistry Subdivison of the American Chemical Society
- The Protein Society
- PDB Protein databank
- Metals in Biology Gordon Research Conference, 2007
- European Biological Chemistry Conference, EUROBIC 8, 2006
- Chemistry subject area page
- Nature Chemical Biology
- Nature Structural & Chemical Biology
- Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology
- EMBO Reports
- The EMBO Journal
- Cell Research
- Molecular Systems Biology
Archive
ARTICLES
Histone demethylation by a family of JmjC domain-containing proteins
Yu-ichi Tsukada et al.
Nature 439, 811-816 (16 February 2006) doi:10.1038/nature04433
Abstract | Full Text | PDF (452KB) | Supplementary Information
Structural insight into antibiotic fosfomycin biosynthesis by a mononuclear iron enzyme
Luke J. Higgins et al.
Nature 437, 838-844 (1 October 2005) doi:10.1038/nature03924
Abstract | Full Text | PDF (452KB) | Supplementary Information
Crystal structure of a membrane-bound metalloenzyme that catalyses the biological oxidation of methane
Raquel L. Lieberman and Amy C. Rosenzweig
Nature 434, 177-182 (10 March 2005) doi:10.1038/nature03311
Abstract | Full Text | PDF (452KB) | Supplementary Information
LETTERS
Crystal structures of catalytic complexes of the oxidative DNA/RNA repair enzyme AlkB
Bomina Yu et al.
Nature 439, 879-884 (16 February 2006) doi:10.1038/nature04561
Abstract | Full Text | PDF (452KB) | Supplementary Information
A non-haem iron centre in the transcription factor NorR senses nitric oxide
Benoît D'Autréaux et al.
Nature 437, 769-772 (29 September 2005) doi:10.1038/nature03953
Abstract | Full Text | PDF (452KB) | Supplementary Information
Cryptic chlorination by a non-haem iron enzyme during cyclopropyl amino acid biosynthesis
Frédéric H. Vaillancourt et al.
Nature 436, 1191-1194 (25 August 2005) doi:10.1038/nature03797
Abstract | Full Text | PDF (452KB) | Supplementary Information
Synthesis of the H-cluster framework of iron-only hydrogenase
Cédric Tard et al.
Nature 433, 610-613 (10 February 2005) doi:10.1038/nature03298
Abstract | Full Text | PDF (452KB) | Supplementary Information
Structure of the molybdopterin-bound Cnx1G domain links molybdenum and copper metabolism
Jochen Kuper et al.
Nature 430, 803-806 (12 August 2004) doi:10.1038/nature02681
Abstract | Full Text | PDF (452KB) | Supplementary Information
NEWS AND VIEWS
Biological chemistry: Just add chlorine
Nathan A. Schnarr and Chaitan Khosla
Nature 436, 1094-1095 (25 August 2005) doi:10.1038/4361094a
Structural biology: Methanol maker
Joshua Finkelstein
Nature 434, 151 (10 March 2005) doi:10.1038/434151b
Synthetic chemistry: Making a natural fuel cell
Marcetta York Darensbourg
Nature 433, 589-591 (10 February 2005) doi:10.1038/433589a
Biological chemistry: The making of Moco
William N. Hunter
Nature 430, 736-737 (12 August 2004) doi:10.1038/430736a
BRIEF COMMUNICATIONS
Biochemistry: A cadmium enzyme from a marine diatom
Todd W. Lane
Nature 435, 42 (5 May 2005) doi:10.1038/435042a
Abstract | Full Text | PDF (452KB) | Supplementary Information
