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Metal-Ligand Bonds

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 13, 2025

Structure and Coordination Determination of Peptide-metal Complexes Using 1D and 2D 1H NMR

Structure and Coordination Determination of Peptide-metal Complexes Using 1D and 2D 1H NMR

Published on: December 16, 2013

Protein metalation in biology.

Andrew W Foster¹, Tessa R Young¹, Peter T Chivers¹

¹Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK; Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK.

Current Opinion in Chemical Biology

|November 11, 2021

Summary

Biological metalation involves proteins competing for limited metals, unlike lab conditions. Understanding cellular metal homeostasis reveals how cells maintain optimal metal levels for protein function.

Keywords:

Cobalt Copper Iron Magnesium Manganese Metal availability Metal sensors Metal specificity Metalation calculator Nickel Zinc

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Last Updated: Oct 13, 2025

Structure and Coordination Determination of Peptide-metal Complexes Using 1D and 2D 1H NMR

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Published on: December 16, 2013

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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Quantification of Metal Leaching in Immobilized Metal Affinity Chromatography

Quantification of Metal Leaching in Immobilized Metal Affinity Chromatography

Published on: January 17, 2020

Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Metallomics
Cell Biology

Background:

Inorganic metals are essential for protein function, but their cellular availability is tightly regulated.
Protein metalation, the process of incorporating metals into proteins, is crucial for biological activity.
Extracellular conditions often involve metal excess, contrasting with intracellular metal scarcity.

Purpose of the Study:

To summarize mechanisms of metal homeostasis in biological systems.
To elucidate how cells maintain optimal metal concentrations for protein metalation.
To compare intracellular metal binding dynamics with extracellular conditions.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on metal homeostasis.
Analysis of metal-binding affinities in cellular environments.
Comparison of metal-protein binding strengths versus competing cellular sites.

Main Results:

Biological systems employ sophisticated metal homeostasis mechanisms to manage metal availability.
Cells prioritize specific metal-binding sites, competing for limited metal ions.
The strength of metal binding to proteins is balanced against binding to other cellular components.

Conclusions:

Cellular metal homeostasis ensures sufficient metal supply for essential proteins.
Understanding metal binding affinities is key to comprehending protein metalation in vivo.
This research highlights the intricate strategies cells use to acquire and utilize metals.