Studies on Structures and Specific Functions in Bioinoganic Chemistry

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The studies on the priority area of "Bioinorganic Chemistry" were carried out for three years with a view to elucidating the structures and specific functions of transition metal ions in biological systems. The following points were intensely pursued :(i) Multiple interactions between biomolecules around the central metal ion(ii) Regulation of biological reaction processes(iii) Precise modeling of biological reactions(iv) Construction of new chemical systemsThe results of the above studies have now been reviewed and summarized to give a clear view on biological reaction mechanisms involving metal ions. They afforded chemical systems which closely mimic the structures and functions of biological metal complexes such as the copper-containing active site of hemocyanin. This research project depended much on the cooperation between scientists from various fields including chemistry, biology, and molecular biology, without which it has not been possible to investigate the metal-containing biological systems at the molecular level. Prior to the 30th International Conference on Coordination Chemistry (ICCC), we held a symposium on bioinorganic chemisrty, in which a number of former and present project team members published their research activities. We prepared a collective report on the whole activities of the research project during the period 1991-1994. The results of the present study will deepen our understanding of the biological functions of metal ions and ultimately of the life phenomena.