Bioinorganic Chemistry

The bioinorganic chemistry is a scientific speciality with the interface Chimie - Biologie, being located more precisely between the Biochemistry and the inorganic Chemistry (chemistry of the metal elements).

It is interested in the chemical species containing metal atoms in the biological systems. Bioinorganic chemistry also is interested in the synthesis of complex artificial to include/understand the operation of the biological systems, to even reproduce the activity of it (one speaks in this case about biomimetic chemistry ).

Historical examples

Paul Ehrlich used compounds of the Arsenic for the treatment of the Syphilis, showing the relevance to use metal elements (in fact, arsenic is a Métalloïde) in medicine. This strategy bore its fruits with the discovery of the anti-cancer activity of the Cisplatine (cis-PtCl2 (NH3) 2).

The first protein to be crystallized was the Uréase. It was shown thereafter that this protein contained Nickel with the active site. Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin has watch cristallographiquement that the Vitamine B12 contained a complex macrocyclic of Cobalt.

The structure of DNA by Watson and Crick showed the structuring role of the units Phosphate in polymeric form.

Metals in biology and medicine

Bioinorganic chemistry is interested in various distinct systems. These fields include the transport and the storage of the metal ions, the hydrolytic métalloenzymes, the métalloprotéines with Transfert of electron S, the métalloprotéines being used with transport and activation of the Dioxygène as well as systems bioorganometallic (with a connection metal Carbone). Bioinorganic chemistry is also interested in the study of dynamics of the metal Cations in the biological systems and in the design of drugs containing metal elements.

Transport and storage of the metal ions

The transport and storage of the metal ions are interested in the ionic channels, ionic pumps (for example the NaKATPase) and with other proteins or small molecules (such as the Sidérophore S) of which the goal is to control the concentration of metal cations in the cells.

Métalloenzymes hydrolytic

The hydrolytic métalloenzymes include proteins which catalyze the reactions of Hydrolyze. In the catalytic cycle of these enzymes water plays the part of Ligand for the metal cation in certain intermediaries. Examples of this protein class are the carbonic Anhydrase and the Métallophosphatases and the Métalloprotéinases (such as the Carboxypeptidase).

Métalloprotéines with transfer of electrons

The métalloprotéines with Transfert of electrons consist of 3 major classes

  • proteins containing of the clusters iron-sulfur such as the Rubrédoxin S, the Ferrédoxine S, Protéine of Rieske, and the Aconitase S.
  • the Protéines with blue copper.
  • the Cytochrome S
These proteins are complementary to conveyers of nonmetal electrons such as the Nicotinamide adénine dinucléotide (NAD) and the Flavine adénine dinucléotide (FAD).

Métalloprotéines of transport and activation of dioxygene

The métalloprotéines of transport and activation of the Dioxygène use metal elements such as the Fer, the Cuivre or manganese. The Hème is used by the red Globules S within hemoglobin. Others métalluprotéines being used for transport of oxygen are the Myoglobine, the Hémocyanine, and the Hémérythrine. The Oxydase S and the Oxygénase S are found in the majority of the living organisms to use the Dioxygène to fulfill important functions such as the release of energy in with the Cytochrome C oxidase or the oxidation of small molecules with the system Cytochrome P450 oxidase/Cytochrome P450 or the Méthane monooxygénase. Others métalloprotéines are intended to protect the living organisms against the Stress oxidizing. These systems include the Peroxydase S, Catalase S and Superoxyde dismutase S. Within the framework of the Photosynthèse an active site composed of 4 manganese ions is used for the Oxydation of water.

Systems bioorganometallic

The systems bioorganometallic such as the Hydrogenase S and the methyl Cobalamine are biological examples of organometallic Chimie.

Metabolism of nitrogen

The Métabolisme of the Azote uses metal elements. The Nitrogénase (enzyme with Molybdenum and iron) is associated with the Métabolisme Azote. More recently the importance neuronal Cardiovasculaire and of the Oxyde nitric (NO) was discovered. NO is produced by the NO synthase, a protein containing a groupemetnt heme.

Dynamics of the metal cations in the biological systems

Various diseases, as the Maladie of Wilson are due to a dysfunction of the Homéostasie of the metal cations. In the case of the disease of Wilson, it is about the Cu (II).

Drugs containing metal elements

The most known examples of drugs containing metal elements are the Cisplatine, within the framework of the therapy of the Cancer and the Agents of contrast containing Gd (III) for IRM).

External bonds

  • (in) The Society off Biological Inorganic Chemistry (SBIC) 'S Home Page

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