Structural highlights
FunctionFRIL_HORSE Stores iron in a soluble, non-toxic, readily available form. Important for iron homeostasis. Iron is taken up in the ferrous form and deposited as ferric hydroxides after oxidation. Also plays a role in delivery of iron to cells. Mediates iron uptake in capsule cells of the developing kidney (By similarity). Publication Abstract from PubMedWater-soluble and biocompatible protein-protected gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) hold great promise for numerous applications. However, design and precise regulation of their structure at an atomic level remain challenging. Herein, we have engineered and constructed a gold clustering site at the 4-fold symmetric axis channel of the apo-ferritin cage. Using a series of X-ray crystal structures, we evaluated the stepwise accumulation process of Au ions into the cage and the formation of a multinuclear Au cluster in our designed cavity. We also disclosed the role of key residues in the metal accumulation process. X-ray crystal structures in combination with quantum chemical (QC) calculation revealed a unique Au clustering site with up to 12 Au atoms positions in the cavity. Moreover, the structure of the gold nanocluster was precisely tuned by the dosage of the Au precursor. As the gold concentration increases, the number of Au atoms position at the clustering site increases from 8 to 12, and a structural rearrangement was observed at a higher Au concentration. Furthermore, the binding affinity order of the four Au binding sites on apo-ferritin was unveiled with a stepwise increase of Au precursor concentration. Design of a gold clustering site in an engineered apo-ferritin cage.,Lu C, Maity B, Peng X, Ito N, Abe S, Sheng X, Ueno T, Lu D Commun Chem. 2022 Mar 21;5(1):39. doi: 10.1038/s42004-022-00651-1. PMID:36697940[1] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. See AlsoReferences
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