Lanthanide(III)-binding peptides and proteins: coordination properties and applications

Lanthanides play a crucial role in modern medicine and technology as well as in the metabolism of methylotrophic bacteria. In this context, the research on lanthanide-binding peptides and proteins is an active and rapidly developing field. This comprehensive and critical review focuses on the structural, thermodynamic (affinity and selectivity) and kinetic parameters governing the interaction of Ln³⁺ ions with different peptides and proteins, including both naturally occurring and de novo-designed scaffolds. It thus provides guidelines and future directions for the rational design of Ln-binding peptides and proteins with suitable features for the main applications explored to date, including luminescent sensing, magnetic resonance imaging, Ln separation and recovery and Ln-based (photo)-catalysis.