Learning outcomes
Module 1:
The module aims to describe the structural basis for understanding the mechanisms of action of proteins and enzymes containing metal centers as heme iron, non-heme iron, copper, zinc and calcium, as well as the factors that determine the specific use of the metals.
Module 2 aims at describing advanced aspects of metalloproteins
and metalloenzymes mechanisms of action. The enzymatic mechanism
will be described including a detailed description of how the catalytic center evolves towards active intermediates of the catalytic process.
Course contents
Module 1 - The main topics covered in the module are as follows: introduction to bioinorganic chemistry, mechanisms of metal transporter, essential metals, structure and function of proteins, metal complexes with amino acids, peptides, and proteins, metal catalysis, processes of insertion of metal cofactors into proteins, biochemistry of alkali and alkaline earthy metals, calcium-proteins; properties and reactivity of oxygen, metal-dioxygen complexes (iron-porphyrins, copper, cobalt).
Module 2 - The course will describe the chemical and biological properties of proteins and enzymes containing heme, non-heme iron, copper and zinc
cofactors. The main focus will be the description of the following biological processes and reactions: oxygen transport (hemoglobin/myoglobin, hemocyanin), cellular respiration (cytochrome c oxidase), hydrolysis reactions (hydrolases containing zinc) and more generally biological oxidations (peroxidases, cytochrome P450 , tyrosinase, etc.).
Università di Pavia - Offerta formativa