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Metalloproteins and metal sensing

Nature volume 460, pages 823–830 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Almost half of all enzymes must associate with a particular metal to function. An ambition is to understand why each metal–protein partnership arose and how it is maintained. Metal availability provides part of the explanation, and has changed over geological time and varies between habitats but is held within vital limits in cells. Such homeostasis needs metal sensors, and there is an ongoing search to discover the metal-sensing mechanisms. For metalloproteins to acquire the right metals, metal sensors must correctly distinguish between the inorganic elements.

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Figure 1: Metals used in catalysis.
Figure 2: Metal sensing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Figure 3: Metal sensors in animals.
Figure 4: Metal-responsive trafficking and processing of metal transporters.

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Acknowledgements

This article describes a selection of the insights of many friends and colleagues. The authors are supported by grants BB/E001688/1 and BB/F019637/1 from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

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  1. Cell & Molecular Biosciences, Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle, NE2 4HH, UK

    Kevin J. Waldron, Julian C. Rutherford, Dianne Ford & Nigel J. Robinson

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Waldron, K., Rutherford, J., Ford, D. et al. Metalloproteins and metal sensing. Nature 460, 823–830 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature08300

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