Human anamorsin is an iron–sulfur (Fe–S)-cluster-binding protein acting as electron donor in the early steps of cytosolic biogenesis. belongs to eukaryotic CIAPIN1 family and contains two highly conserved cysteine-rich motifs, each binding Fe–S cluster. In vitro works by various groups have provided rather controversial results for type clusters bound proteins. order unravel knot on this topic,...

Tetanus toxin was shown to contain a metal-binding site for zinc and copper. Equilibrium dialysis binding experiments using 65Zn indicated an association constant of 9-15 microM, with one zinc-binding site/toxin molecule. The zinc-binding site was localized to the toxin light chain as determined by binding of 65Zn to the light chain but not to the heavy chain after separation by sodium dodecyl ...

Protein dimerization is essential for cellular processes including regulation and biosignalling. While protein-protein interactions can occur through many modes, this review will focus on those interactions mediated through the binding of metal ions to the proteins. Selected techniques used to study protein-protein interactions, including size exclusion chromatography, mass spectrometry, affini...

Various biguanide derivatives are used as antihyperglycemic and antimalarial drugs (e.g., 1,1-dimethyl biguanide (metformin), phenylethyl biguanide (phenformin), N-(4-chlorophenyl)-N'-(isopropyl)-imidodicarbonimidic diamide (proguanil)); however, no common mechanism has been suggested in these controversial therapeutic actions. Biguanides bind endogenous metals that inhibit cysteine proteases i...

Oral streptococci play a large role in dental biofilm formation, and several types interact as early colonizers with the enamel salivary pellicle to form the primary biofilm, as well as to incorporate other bacteria on tooth surfaces. Interactions of surface molecules of individual streptococci with the salivary pellicle on the tooth surface have an influence on the etiological properties of an...

Mac1p is a Saccharomyces cerevisiae DNA binding transcription factor that activates genes involved in copper uptake. A copper-induced N-C-terminal intramolecular interaction and copper-independent homodimerization affect its function. Here, we present a functional analysis of Mac1p deletion derivatives that attributes new roles to the second cysteine-rich (REPII) domain of the protein. This dom...

A mild visible-light-mediated strategy for cysteine arylation is presented. The method relies on the use of eosin Y as a metal-free photocatalyst and aryldiazonium salts as arylating agents. The reaction can be significantly accelerated in a microflow reactor, whilst allowing the in situ formation of the required diazonium salts. The batch and flow protocol described herein can be applied to ob...

Nitrile hydratases (NHases) are metalloenzymes that catalyze stereo and regio-specific hydration of nitriles to their corresponding higher value amides under ambient conditions physiological pH. NHase has acquired substantial interest as a biocatalyst in preparative organic chemistry industries due its advantages over the chemical catalysis such zero byproduct formation, high specificity, yield...

Conus venoms are rich sources of biologically active peptides that act specifically on ionic channels and metabotropic receptors present at the neuromuscular junction, efficiently paralyzing the prey. Each species of Conus may have 50 to 200 uncharacterized bioactive peptides with pharmacological interest. Conus regius is a vermivorous species that inhabits Northeastern Brazilian tropical water...

Kinase Suppressor of Ras (KSR) is a molecular scaffold that interacts with the core kinase components of the ERK cascade, Raf, MEK, ERK to provide spatial and temporal regulation of Ras-dependent ERK cascade signaling. Interruption of this mechanism can have a high influence in inhibiting the downstream signaling of the mutated tyrosine kinase receptor kinase upon ligand binding. Still none of ...