The binding of haem and zinc in the 1.9 A X-ray structure of Escherichia coli bacterioferritin.

Full Abstract

The crystal structure of Escherichia coli bacterioferritin has been solved to 1.9 A, and shows the symmetrical binding of a haem molecule on the local twofold axis between subunits and a pair of metal atoms bound to each subunit at the ferroxidase centre. These metals have been identified as zinc by the analysis of the structure and X-ray data and confirmed by microfocused proton-induced X-ray emission experiments. For the first time the haem has been shown to be linked to both the internal and the external environments via a cluster of waters positioned above the haem molecule.

Author information

Author/s: Willies, Simon C (SC); Isupov, Michail N (MN); Garman, Elspeth F (EF); Littlechild, Jennifer A (JA);

Affiliation: School of Biosciences, Henry Wellcome Building for Biocatalysis, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK.

Grants: 719/B15474 (Agency:Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council) ; 719/REI20571 (Agency:Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of biological inorganic chemistry : JBIC : a publication of the Society of Biological Inorganic Chemistry (J Biol Inorg Chem), published in Germany. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Feb; vol 14 (issue 2) : pp 201-7

Dates: Created 2009/01/27; Completed 2009/05/14;

PMID: 18946693, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 5/14/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MeSH Headings (categories) shown below.

Bacterial Proteins - chemistry; genetics; isolation & purification; metabolism
Binding Sites
Ceruloplasmin - metabolism
Crystallography, X-Ray
Cytochrome b Group - chemistry; genetics; isolation & purification; metabolism
Escherichia coli - chemistry

Ferritins - chemistry; genetics; isolation & purification; metabolism
Heme - chemistry
Models, Molecular
Molecular Structure
Protein Conformation
Zinc - chemistry

Note: Bold headings indicate primary MeSH headings or qualifiers.

Associated Chemicals: Bacterial Proteins (0) ; Cytochrome b Group (0) ; Heme (14875-96-8) ; Zinc (7440-66-6) ; Ferritins (9007-73-2) ; bacterioferritin (9035-38-5) ; Ceruloplasmin (EC 1.16.3.1)

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