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Changing metal ions within human enzymes
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- Project Question: Is it viable to change the metal ions within enzymes using artificial methods? If so, what would be the impact on an organic being?
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Changing metal ions within human enzymes
I read somewhere that metal ions play important roles in the biological function of many enzymes, for example, the zinc ion playing an essential role in polymerase reactions for normal growth and development. I'm interested in what changes such modifications in the enzyme complexes would lead to, in terms of the entirety of the organism. Would it be possible to change these metal ions with other metal ions that exhibit similar chemical properties? If so, would such metal ion replacements have any place in medical therapies and what metal ions should I start with?
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SciB
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Re: Changing metal ions within human enzymes
Hi,
As you said, many human enzymes and other proteins require a metal ion as part of their structure in order to function properly. Good health depends on eating foods that contain iron, copper, zinc, manganese, selenium, calcium and even molybdenum. Enzymes are very specific as to the type of ions that they contain, however, and a different ion simply will not fit inside the protein's metal binding site--or if it does, the result may be harmful as in the case of lead and mercury ions.
About 30% of enzymes require a metal ion and there are some, particularly among the zinc-containing enzymes, where cobalt, nickel, cadmium or copper can be substituted, at least in the test tube. The activity of the substituted enzyme is usually less than that of the zinc-containing enzyme (http://authors.library.caltech.edu/2505 ... apter2.pdf).
Replacing the normal metal ion with something different will change the activity of the enzyme in the test tube, but if you wanted to test this in a mouse or human the problem is how to get the replacement ion to a specific enzyme. If you just injected a mouse with copper ions, the metal would go everywhere and would affect many enzymes and proteins and maybe even kill the animal. Targeting is a constant problem in medicine. Treating some cancers, for example, requires the use of powerful chemicals that kill healthy cells as well as cancer cells. If we could get the chemical to hit only the cancer cells, the treatment would be much safer and more effective.
Maybe some of the other experts can suggest a way to study your hypothesis. Many plant enzymes and other proteins also require metal ions, so one possible project could involve exposing plants to different metal ions and measuring the effect on growth, flowering, or seed production. If you want to test this on animals, you can use Daphnia (water fleas) or roundworms. Check Scibuddies project ideas for using various kinds of organisms in projects.
Post again and let us know what you want to do and we will try to guide you in designing a great project.
Good luck!
Sybee
As you said, many human enzymes and other proteins require a metal ion as part of their structure in order to function properly. Good health depends on eating foods that contain iron, copper, zinc, manganese, selenium, calcium and even molybdenum. Enzymes are very specific as to the type of ions that they contain, however, and a different ion simply will not fit inside the protein's metal binding site--or if it does, the result may be harmful as in the case of lead and mercury ions.
About 30% of enzymes require a metal ion and there are some, particularly among the zinc-containing enzymes, where cobalt, nickel, cadmium or copper can be substituted, at least in the test tube. The activity of the substituted enzyme is usually less than that of the zinc-containing enzyme (http://authors.library.caltech.edu/2505 ... apter2.pdf).
Replacing the normal metal ion with something different will change the activity of the enzyme in the test tube, but if you wanted to test this in a mouse or human the problem is how to get the replacement ion to a specific enzyme. If you just injected a mouse with copper ions, the metal would go everywhere and would affect many enzymes and proteins and maybe even kill the animal. Targeting is a constant problem in medicine. Treating some cancers, for example, requires the use of powerful chemicals that kill healthy cells as well as cancer cells. If we could get the chemical to hit only the cancer cells, the treatment would be much safer and more effective.
Maybe some of the other experts can suggest a way to study your hypothesis. Many plant enzymes and other proteins also require metal ions, so one possible project could involve exposing plants to different metal ions and measuring the effect on growth, flowering, or seed production. If you want to test this on animals, you can use Daphnia (water fleas) or roundworms. Check Scibuddies project ideas for using various kinds of organisms in projects.
Post again and let us know what you want to do and we will try to guide you in designing a great project.
Good luck!
Sybee