BIOINORGANIC CHEMISTRY

Course objectives

1) Knowledge of the main inorganic elements present in biological systems and of the different role played by metals in the regulation of important properties (structure, action mechanism, specificity, and catalytic activity) in biological molecules as proteins and nucleic acids, also including the therapeutic use of unnatural metals. Basic knowledge of investigation techniques used in Bioinorganic Chemistry, such as electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR), Mössbauer spectroscopy or magnetic behaviour of metal ions. 2) Ability to correlate the properties of inorganic elements with the role that they play within biomolecules, albeit modulated by the biological component. Ability to apply the various techniques of investigation in the biological field, with particular reference to the information that can be obtained from them. 3) Development of critical skills and judgment in the learning of the subject, through the study of the teaching material provided to the students and the frequency of the lessons, during which the students are invited to ask questions and request clarifications. Since the course consists only of lectures, no other activities are planned. 4) Ability to communicate what has been learned during the course through the exam, consisting of a discussion lasting about 30 minutes, aimed at verifying the critical learning of the arguments and the ability to deepen personal knowledge. 5) Ability to deepen the topics studied, each according to personal propensities for each topic in an autonomous way, through the consultation of literature or specialized texts recommended in class and available in the Library of the Department.

Channel 1
MARIA PIA DONZELLO Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
1) Overview of bioinorganic chemistry. 2) The essential chemical elements in biology. 3) Principles of coordination chemistry related to bioinorganic chemistry. 4) Electronic and geometric structure of metal ions in biological systems. 5) Properties of biological molecules: proteins and nucleic acids. 6) Physical methods in bioinorganic chemistry: particular reference is made to Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR), Mössbauer Spectroscopy, Magnetic Measurements. 7) Choice, uptake, and assembly of metal containing units in biology. Enterobactin. Enrichment strategies and intracellular chemistry of low-abundance metals. Iron-sulfur clusters. Ferritin. 8) Control and utilization of metal-ion concentration in cells. Homeostasis. Transferrin. Mechanism of detoxification of mercury. The generation and uses of metal-ion-concentration gradients. Na+-K+ ATPase. The acetylcholine receptor. The voltage-gated sodium channel. 9) Metal ion folding and cross-linking of biomolecules. Aspartate transcarbamoylase. Zn-fingers. Calcium-binding proteins: Calmodulin. Protein-binding to metallated DNA: interaction of cis-platin with DNA. 10) Binding of metal ions and complexes to biomolecule-active centers. Thermodynamic control. Bioavailability. 11) Electron-transfer proteins. Iron-sulfur proteins. Blue-copper proteins. Cytochromes. Long-distance electron transfer. 12) Substrate binding and activation by nonredox mechanisms. Carboxypeptidase A and Thermolysin. Alkaline phosphatase. Carbonic anhydrase. Alcoholdehydrogenase. 13) Atom- and group- transfer chemistry. DioxygenTrasport: haemoglobin and myoglobin, hemerythrin, hemocyanin. Oxygen-atom-transfer reactions: cytochrome P-450. Methane monooxygenase. Ribonucleotidereductase. Sulfiteoxidase. Molybdenumoxotransferase. The Cu-Zn superoxidedismutase. Catalase. Peroxidases.
Prerequisites
Knowledges recommended in order to proficiently follow the course consist of general and inorganic chemistry, coordination chemistry, organic chemistry, biological chemistry.
Books
PRINCIPLES OF BIOINORGANIC CHEMISTRY di Stephen J. Lippard e Jeremy M. Berg - University Science Books Lecture notes Power point presentations used for lessons
Frequency
Attendance is strongly recommended in order to better understand the topics covered and to have the opportunity to ask the teacher for explanations and clarifications.
Exam mode
The exam consists of an oral test of ca 30 min. with the aim to verify the critical learning of the arguments carried out and the capacity for personal study.
Bibliography
1) Bioinorganic Chemistry: Inorganic Elements in the Chemistry of Life – An Introduction and Guide W. Kaim, B. Schwederski, A. Klein Wiley (2013) 2) Terry A. Brown, Conoscere la biochimica Zanichelli editore 2018
Lesson mode
This 6 CFU (Universitary Learning Credits) class consists of lectures of two hours each, two times per week from the beginning of March to the beginning of June. Students are not obliged to follow the lessons but it is strongly suggested that they attend them.
  • Lesson code1026798
  • Academic year2024/2025
  • CourseChemistry
  • CurriculumChimica Organica e Biomolecolare
  • Year1st year
  • Semester2nd semester
  • SSDCHIM/03
  • CFU6
  • Subject areaDiscipline chimiche inorganiche e chimico-fisiche