Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2025

Mass Spectrometric Approaches to Study Protein Structure and Interactions in Lyophilized Powders
Published on: April 14, 2015
Inorganic Drugs as a Tool for Protein Structure Solving and Studies on Conformational Changes
Iogann Tolbatov1, Alessandro Marrone2, William Shepard3
1Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Avgda. Països Catalans, 16, 43007, Tarragona, Spain.
Abstract:
Inorganic drugs are capable of tight interactions with proteins through coordination towards aminoacidic residues, and this feature is recognized as a key aspect for their pharmacological action. However, the "protein metalation process" is exploitable for solving the phase problem and structural resolution. In fact, the use of inorganic drugs bearing specific metal centers and ligands capable to drive the binding towards the desired portions of the protein target could represent a very intriguing and fruitful strategy. In this context, a theoretical approach may further contribute to solve protein structures and their refinement. Here, we delineate the main features of a reliable experimental-theoretical integrated approach, based on the use of metallodrugs, for protein structure solving.
Related Concept Videos
Protein Organization
The primary structure of a protein is its amino acid sequence....
Ligand Binding Sites
Protein-ligand interactions are quite specific; even though numerous potential ligands surround a cellular protein at any given time, only a particular ligand can bind to that protein. Moreover, a ligand binds only to a dedicated area on the surface of the protein, known as the...
Intrinsically Disordered Proteins
Protein-Drug Binding: Determination Methods
Indirect methods involve isolating the bound drug from its free form in biological samples such as blood, serum, or plasma. These techniques aim to measure the percentage of drugs bound to proteins. Equilibrium dialysis is a commonly used method where the free drug concentration at equilibrium is measured by separating the bound...
Protein Folding
Protein Structure Is Critical to Its Biological Function
Proteins perform a wide range of biological functions such as catalyzing chemical reactions, providing...

