Researchers at the University of Durham have made an exciting discovery that could revolutionise how scientists design and engineer biological systems.

Their new study reveals a way to predict and control how proteins inside cells bind to metals – an essential process for life.

Revealing secrets of protein metalation

Metals such as iron, manganese, and cobalt are crucial for many biological processes, helping proteins carry out vital functions in cells.

However, scientists have long struggled to understand how proteins select the right metal inside cells.

Now, the research team have found a way to solve this problem using a special protein that acts as a metal trap.

This protein, originally found in cyanobacteria (a type of photosynthetic bacteria), naturally binds to manganese.

By studying how it interacts with different metals, the researchers have demonstrated that they can accurately predict which metals proteins will bind to in various environments.

This discovery is important because when proteins are introduced into cells with different metal levels, they can sometimes bind to the wrong metal, which may impact their function.

Metalation calculator

To help address this challenge, the researchers have developed a tool called a metalation calculator, which uses data from the cells’ own metal sensors to predict how proteins will behave.

In their experiments, they found that when the manganese-binding protein was placed inside E. coli bacteria, it mistakenly bound to iron instead of manganese.

This highlights the need to carefully control metal availability when designing biological systems.

This research opens exciting possibilities for creating biological systems that work more efficiently and sustainably. It’s a big step forward for fields such as medicine, environmental science, and sustainable manufacturing.

The findings have significant applications for industries that rely on engineered biological processes, such as pharmaceutical development, industrial enzyme production, and green technologies.

This research was made possible thanks to funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), which have supported the team’s work on metals in biology for over 40 years.

• Read the full paper published in Nature Communications.
• The research team includes Professor Nigel Robinson, Dr Sophie Clough, Dr Tessa Young, Dr Emma Tarrant, Andrew Scott, Dr Peter Chivers and Arthur Glasfeld.