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Related Concept Videos

Metal-Ligand Bonds02:51

Metal-Ligand Bonds

The hemoglobin in the blood, the chlorophyll in green plants, vitamin B-12, and the catalyst used in the manufacture of polyethylene all contain coordination compounds. Ions of the metals, especially the transition metals, are likely to form complexes.
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
Complexation Equilibria: Factors Influencing Stability of Complexes01:09

Complexation Equilibria: Factors Influencing Stability of Complexes

In complexation reactions, metal cations are the electron pair acceptors, and the ligands are the electron pair donors. The stability of the metal complexes depends primarily on the complexing ability of the central metal ion and the nature of the ligands. Generally, the complexing ability of the metal ion depends on the size and charge of the ion. As the metal ion size increases, the stability of the metal complexes decreases, provided that the valency of the metal ion and the ligands remain...
Properties of Organometallic Compounds01:23

Properties of Organometallic Compounds

Organometallic compounds are compounds that contain a carbon–metal bond. Carbon belongs to an organyl group like alkyl, aryl, allyl, or benzyl groups. The metal can be from Group I or Group II of the periodic table, a transition metal, or a semimetal.
Bonding in Metals02:32

Bonding in Metals

Metallic bonds are formed between two metal atoms. A simplified model to describe metallic bonding has been developed by Paul Drüde called the “Electron Sea Model”.
Cofactors and Coenzymes01:27

Cofactors and Coenzymes

Enzymes require additional components for proper function. There are two such classes of molecules: cofactors and coenzymes. Cofactors are metallic ions and coenzymes are non-protein organic molecules. Both of these types of helper molecule can be tightly bound to the enzyme or bound only when the substrate binds.
Cofactors and Coenzymes01:24

Cofactors and Coenzymes

Enzymes are proteins made of amino acids. The functional group of each constituent amino acid catalyzes a wide variety of chemical reactions via ionic interactions or acid-base reactions. However, amino acids cannot catalyze oxidation-reduction and group transfer reactions and need to be aided by non-protein components called cofactors. Cofactors are also referred to as the chemical teeth of an enzyme.
Cofactors can be metallic ions or organic molecules called coenzymes. These types of helper...

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Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry Techniques for Determining the Structure and Mechanisms of Metal Ion Recognition and Redox Activity of Metal Binding Oligopeptides
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Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry Techniques for Determining the Structure and Mechanisms of Metal Ion Recognition and Redox Activity of Metal Binding Oligopeptides

Published on: September 7, 2019

Functional metal ions in nucleic acids.

Jens Müller1

  • 1Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Institut für Anorganische und Analytische Chemie, Corrensstr. 28/30, 48149 Münster, Germany. mueller.j@uni-muenster.de

Metallomics : Integrated Biometal Science
|November 13, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Metal ions are crucial for nucleic acid structure and function, acting as co-factors and influencing folding. This review explores their diverse roles in DNA and RNA chemistry, focusing on naturally occurring ions.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Structural Chemistry

Background:

  • Metal ions are integral to nucleic acid chemistry, essential for maintaining structural integrity.
  • Beyond structural roles, metal ions function as catalytic co-factors in ribozymes and influence RNA folding.
  • They also play roles in DNA secondary structure, acid/base catalysis, and genetic recombination.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of the diverse functions of metal ions in nucleic acids.
  • To highlight the roles of endogenous metal ions in biological systems.
  • To discuss metal ion interactions in various nucleic acid structures, including DNA, RNA, triple helices, and G-quadruplexes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on metal ion-nucleic acid interactions.
  • Focus on naturally occurring metal ions in biological contexts.
  • Inclusion of studies on exogenous metal complexes where findings are relevant to endogenous systems.

Main Results:

  • Metal ions are fundamental for nucleic acid structural integrity.
  • They act as essential co-factors for enzymatic activity in ribozymes.
  • Metal ions significantly influence nucleic acid folding, secondary structure, and catalytic processes.

Conclusions:

  • Metal ions play multifaceted and indispensable roles in nucleic acid chemistry and biology.
  • Understanding these interactions is key to comprehending nucleic acid function in living systems.
  • The review emphasizes the importance of endogenous metal ions in nucleic acid processes.