DNA structure has many potential places where endogenous compounds and xenobiotics can bind. Therefore, xenobiotics bind along the sites of the nucleic acid with the aim of changing its structure, its Show more
DNA structure has many potential places where endogenous compounds and xenobiotics can bind. Therefore, xenobiotics bind along the sites of the nucleic acid with the aim of changing its structure, its genetic message, and, implicitly, its functions. Currently, there are several mechanisms known to be involved in DNA binding. These mechanisms are covalent and non-covalent interactions. The covalent interaction or metal base coordination is an irreversible binding and it is represented by an intra-/interstrand cross-link. The non-covalent interaction is generally a reversible binding and it is represented by intercalation between DNA base pairs, insertion, major and/or minor groove binding, and electrostatic interactions with the sugar phosphate DNA backbone. In the present review, we focus on the types of DNAâmetal complex interactions (including some representative examples) and on presenting the methods currently used to study them. Show less
The association of proteins with metals, metalation, is challenging because the tightest binding metals are rarely the correct ones. Inside cells, correct metalation is enabled by controlled bioavaila Show more
The association of proteins with metals, metalation, is challenging because the tightest binding metals are rarely the correct ones. Inside cells, correct metalation is enabled by controlled bioavailability plus extra mechanisms for tricky combinations such as iron and manganese. Show less
Ivano Bertini, Gabriele Cavallaro · 2010 · Metallomics : integrated biometal science · Royal Society of Chemistry · added 2026-04-20
Bioinformatics is a central discipline in modern life sciences aimed at describing the complex properties of living organisms starting from large-scale data sets of cellular constituents such as genes Show more
Bioinformatics is a central discipline in modern life sciences aimed at describing the complex properties of living organisms starting from large-scale data sets of cellular constituents such as genes and proteins. In order for this wealth of information to provide useful biological knowledge, databases and software tools for data collection, analysis and interpretation need to be developed. In this paper, we review recent advances in the design and implementation of bioinformatics resources devoted to the study of metals in biological systems, a research field traditionally at the heart of bioinorganic chemistry. We show how metalloproteomes can be extracted from genome sequences, how structural properties can be related to function, how databases can be implemented, and how hints on interactions can be obtained from bioinformatics. Show less
Ivano Bertini, Antonio Rosato · 2003 · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · National Academy of Sciences · added 2026-04-20
Genome sequencing has revolutionized all fields of life sciences. Bioinorganic chemistry is certainly not immune to this influence, which is presenting unprecedented challenges. A new goal for bioinor Show more
Genome sequencing has revolutionized all fields of life sciences. Bioinorganic chemistry is certainly not immune to this influence, which is presenting unprecedented challenges. A new goal for bioinorganic chemistry is the investigation of the linkages between inorganic elements and genomic information. This requires new advancements andor the development of new expertise in fields such as bioinformatics and genetics but also provides a driving force to push forward the exploitation of traditional analytical techniques and spectroscopic tools. The "case study" of metal homeostasis in cells is discussed to provide a flavor of the current evolution of the field. Show less