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:

Cysteine

Iron Clusters

Metal center:
Fe2(Cys)4S2 and others

Function:
Electron transfer

Details
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Iron Clusters     Zinc finger     Azurin

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