Coordination of Amino Acid Side Chains in Metalloproteins

In many metalloproteins, the functinal groups of amino acids are used to bind metal ions. This coordination often occurs together with other physiological complexing agents such as porphyrins or corrins.

Common amino acids for this coordination are histidine, cysteine, methionine or aspartic acid.

 

Examples:

Histidine

Haemoglobin

Metal center:
Fe(Porphyrin)(His)(O2)

Function:
Oxygen transport

Details
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Haemoglobin     Zinc finger     Carboanhydrase     Haemocyanin     Azurin

To the examples for: Cysteine, Methionine, Aspartic Acid..