Institution: | 1. Cátedra de Química Inorgánica, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Gral. Flores 2124, 11800, Montevideo, Uruguay;2. Centro de Química Estrutural, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av Rovisco Pais, 1049-001, Lisboa, Portugal;3. Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, 2695-066, Bobadela LRS, Portugal;4. Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz, Campus Universitário, Quinta da Granja, Monte de Caparica, Portugal |
Abstract: | Transition metal ions play key structural and functional roles, affecting structures of biomolecules and enzyme function. The importance of transition metal ions in chemical biology is, thus, undisputed. However, the aqueous chemistry of metal ions is complicated because they form species in several protonation and redox states. In the presence of metabolites, metal ions can also form coordination complexes. The existence of several species is relevant because enzymes and membrane receptors can distinguish between species even when they are rapidly equilibrating. Thus, metal ions, enzyme cofactors, and therapeutic agents are sensitive to the metal ion speciation chemistry because it affects their interaction with enzymes and other biomolecules. Speciation is also crucial for metal-containing bioorthogonal reactions, since water and metabolites stabilize active catalysts, affect chemoselectivity and reaction yields. |