Detection and characterization of novel metal-binding proteins: Final report
The research proposed and carried out under this grant concerned the detection and characterization of novel metal-binding proteins. In particular, the research goals as outlined in the original proposal were to detect novel metalloproteins from unusual bacteria such as Thiobacillus and Sulfolobus, to characterize one or more such novel metal-binding proteins, and, as a long-range goal beyond the scope of the proposal, to explore the conditions necessary for an industrial or scientific application of metal-binding proteins and to determine its relative advantages and limitations for the proposed application. An important part of this research involved the development of techniques that would enable us to examine the proteins of bacteria for the presence of novel metal-binding proteins. Since many metal-binding proteins are rich in cysteine, we placed emphasis on techniques that would detect cysteine in proteins. While synthesizing metal-binding polypeptides for use as models in the examination of detection techniques, we initiated a study of synthetic metal-binding proteins. We have synthesized and characterized a family of novel, artificial metal-binding proteins whose structure is based upon naturally occurring metallothionein. Metallothionein has two important properties that make it suitable for industrial applications: very high affinities for several metals including some heavy metals and strategic metals, and exquisite specificity of metal binding. In summary, with this grant we have initiated a study of novel metal-binding proteins and the sulfur-based chemistry that these proteins use to chelate metals. Although we were unsuccessful in detecting new metal-binding proteins in microorganisms, we were able to synthesize and characterize a family of novel, artificial metal-binding proteins whose structure is based upon naturally occurring metallothionein.
- Research Organization:
- General Electric Co., Schenectady, NY (USA). Corporate Research and Development Center
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG02-84ER13278
- OSTI ID:
- 6075368
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ER/13278-2; ON: DE89013968
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
AMINO ACIDS
BACILLUS
BACTERIA
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHELATES
COMPLEXES
CYSTEINE
DETECTION
DOCUMENT TYPES
METALLOPROTEINS
METALLOTHIONEIN
MICROORGANISMS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
PEPTIDES
POLYPEPTIDES
PROGRESS REPORT
PROTEINS
PURIFICATION
SULFUR-OXIDIZING BACTERIA
SYNTHESIS
THIOBACILLUS FERROXIDANS
THIOLS