Bioinorganic Chemistry: Enzyme Systems and Methods of Investigation

A.Y. 2024/2025

Max ECTS

Overall hours

SSD

CHIM/03

Language

Italian

Included in the following degree programmes

Chemistry (Classe LM-54)-Students Enrolled from the Academic Year 2009-2010

Learning objectives

This course aims to provide an overview of the activity of the main transition metals (iron, copper, zinc, cobalt, nickel) through:
- the analysis of the characteristics of the metal in its interaction with the proteic system
- the study of the mode of binding and activation of small molecules and of the mechanism of interaction with substrates, and their consequences on the progress of enzyme function
To achieve this goal, the course will also be concerned with identifying the most appropriate instrumental investigation methods and evaluating the different results to which they can lead.

Expected learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:
- understand mechanisms of metal-protein interaction and their function in the enzymatic catalytic mechanism;
- recognize and discuss similarities of action of a metal in different enzymatic systems and relate this behavior to the properties of the metal
- identify the method(s) of investigation that can provide specific informations about the metal-protein system and its function

Lesson period: Second semester

Lessons timetable

Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi

Exams calendar

Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Take a single course

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible

Santagostini Laura

Lesson period

Second semester

Syllabus
(active tab)
Course structure

Course syllabus

General introduction to the meaning of Bioinorganic Chemistry, presence and function of major transition metals in biological systems, mode of coordination of metals to biological donors. Study of the main families of metallo-proteins: systems containing iron, copper, zinc, cobalt, nickel. Iron-proteins: classification, heme systems, iron-sulfur clusters, iron-oxygen complexes. Copper proteins: classification and function of copper types and their presence in biological systems. Zinc protein: classification and function. Cobalt proteins. Protein systems containing nickel, molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium. For each protein family, structure and function of the main representative enzymes will be evaluated, with emphasis on the catalytic mechanism. Metals used in diagnostics and therapeutics. Principal methods of investigation for bioinorganic systems: circular dichroism, Mӧssbauer spectroscopy, electron spin resonance spectroscopy and applications of IR, Raman and NMR spectroscopies to metal proteins.

Prerequisites for admission

To attend the course proficiently, students should have already acquired knowledge of:
· electronic configuration of metals and of the principal small molecules of biological interest (dioxygen and its reduction derivatives, dinitrogen and its redox derivatives);
· type and geometry of metal coordination
· metal-ligand interactions, based on hard/soft theory;
· meaning and type of charge transfer process and of electronic interactions.
They should also have prior knowledge of the main molecular and magnetic spectroscopic techniques.
For all these reasons, they should have already attended to the courses of Chemistry of Coordination Compounds, Analytical Chemistry II and Applications of Instrumental Analytical Chemistry, in which these topics are covered in detail.

Teaching methods

Lectures. Attendance to lectures is strongly recommended

Teaching Resources

Slides presented in class, articles and reviews uploaded to the myAriel site of the course. Bioinorganic Chemistry texts present in the BICF library (Central library of Biology, Informatics, Chemistry, Physics). In the course of the lectures, teaching materials to be used for deepening or completing knowledge will be indicated.

Assessment methods and Criteria

Evaluation of achieved knowledge will be done by means of a single oral test lasting about an hour, during which questions will be asked about the enzyme systems analyzed (at least one for each metal examined in the course) with the requirement to expound on the characteristics of the protein system and the metal active site, the mode of coordination of the metal to ligands and substrates, and the mode of reaction at individual stages of the catalytic cycle, as well as instrumental methods for their appropriate characterization; it will also be required to evaluate the influence of individual components on the activity of the metal and the possible consequences of a change in the site. Lastly, the ability to relate the activity of different enzyme systems in a specific organism and to compare similarities in the functioning of systems containing different metals will be evaluated. Evaluation will be given in thirtieths.

CHIM/03 - GENERAL AND INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - University credits: 6

Lessons: 48 hours

Professor: Santagostini Laura

Shifts:

Turno

Professor: Santagostini Laura

Educational website(s)

Chimica bioinorganica: sistemi enzimatici e metodi di indagine (a.a. 2024/25)

Professor(s)

Santagostini Laura

Reception:

By appointment sending an e-mail

Dip. Chimica - Corpo A, Floor 0, Room R107

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