Structural features of uranium-protein complexes

Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry
Oliviero Carugo

Abstract

Uranium toxicity depends on its chemical properties rather than on its radioactivity and involves its interaction with macromolecules. Here, a systematic survey of the structural features of the uranyl sites observed in protein crystal structures deposited in the Protein Data Bank is reported. Beside the two uranyl oxygens, which occupy the axial positions, uranium tends to be coordinated by five other oxygen atoms, which occupy the equatorial vertices of a pentagonal bipyramid. Even if one or more of these equatorial positions are sometime empty, they can be occupied only by oxygen atoms that belong to the carboxylate groups of Glu and Asp side-chains, usually acting as monodentate ligands, to water molecules, or to acetate anions. Although several uranium sites appear undefined or unrefined, with a single uranium atom that lacks the two uranyl oxygen atoms, this problem seems to become less frequent in recent years. However, it is clear that the crystallographic refinements of the uranyl sites are not always well restrained and a better parametrization of these restraints seems to be necessary.

Citations


❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Acta Crystallographica. Section E, Structure Reports Online
Jamshid AshurovSamat Talipov
Acta Crystallographica. Section E, Structure Reports Online
Nikolay M DudarenkoElżbieta Gumienna-Kontecka
Acta Crystallographica. Section E, Structure Reports Online
Xiulan ZhangNeng Chen
Acta Crystallographica. Section E, Structure Reports Online
Guang-Rui Yang, Guo-Ting Li
Acta Crystallographica. Section E, Structure Reports Online
Zhi-Gang LiJing-Wei Xu
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved