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Updated: May 21, 2026
14:44
Structure and Coordination Determination of Peptide-metal Complexes Using 1D and 2D 1H NMR
Published on: December 16, 2013
Inner- and outer-sphere metal coordination in blue copper proteins
Jeffrey J Warren1, Kyle M Lancaster, John H Richards
1Beckman Institute, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry
|June 5, 2012
Summary
Blue copper proteins (BCPs) demonstrate Nature's control over copper ion reactivity. This review explores how both inner and outer coordination spheres influence biological copper properties.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Bioinorganic Chemistry
- Protein Science
Background:
- Blue copper proteins (BCPs) are crucial metalloproteins involved in electron transfer.
- Understanding copper ion coordination is key to BCP function.
- Previous research primarily focused on the direct copper-coordinating residues (inner sphere).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review how both inner-sphere and outer-sphere coordination affect biological copper properties in BCPs.
- To highlight the significance of the protein environment beyond direct copper ligands.
- To honor Hans Freeman's contributions to the field.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on Blue Copper Proteins.
- Analysis of structural and spectroscopic data related to copper coordination.
- Examination of the influence of amino acid residues on copper electronic structure and reactivity.
Main Results:
- Both inner-sphere ligands and outer-sphere residues significantly modulate copper's electronic structure and reactivity.
- The protein environment provides fine-tuning of copper redox potentials and reaction mechanisms.
- Specific examples illustrate the interplay between direct coordination and distant residues.
Conclusions:
- The biological function of copper in BCPs is determined by a complex interplay of inner and outer coordination spheres.
- Understanding the complete protein environment is essential for deciphering BCP mechanisms.
- This review synthesizes current knowledge on the multifaceted roles of coordination in BCPs.
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