Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026

An Anaerobic Biosensor Assay for the Detection of Mercury and Cadmium
Published on: December 17, 2018
The interaction of cadmium and certain other metal ions with proteins and nucleic acids
Abstract:
The toxic effects of cadmium and other selected divalent cations are presumed to be related to specific chemical and physical characteristics of the ion. The chemistry of cadmium and metal ions in general is reviewed from the viewpoint of such relevant properties as ion polarizability, electronic structure, and the hard-soft characteristics. The softness of metal ions is seen as a useful single parameter to correlate with the affinity for nucleic acids and proteins and with toxic effects. The effects of cadmium on nucleic acids and proteins are examined for a number of specific cases to illustrate the variety of interactions that are well recognized and to demonstrate the utility of soft metal ions as reagents and probes for examining the relationship of structure and function in these macromolecules.
More Related Videos
11:04Ion 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
05:35Quantification of Metal Leaching in Immobilized Metal Affinity Chromatography
Published on: January 17, 2020
Related Concept Videos
Calmodulin-dependent Signaling
The Ca2+-CaM complex does not have enzymatic activity by itself. Instead, the complex binds downstream target proteins, including membrane proteins or enzymes,...
Structure of Cadherins
Protein Denaturation
EDTA: Chemistry and Properties
EDTA: Auxiliary Complexing Reagents
Extraction: Advanced Methods