Studies on Structures and Specific Functions in Bioinoganic Chemistry

在“生物无机化学”重点领域开展了为期三年的研究，旨在阐明过渡金属离子在生物系统中的结构和特定功能。主要研究方向为：(1)以金属离子为中心的生物分子间的多种相互作用；(2)生物反应过程的调控；(3)生物反应的精确建模；(4)新化学体系的构建。本文对以上研究成果进行了综述和总结，以期对金属离子参与的生物反应机制有一个清晰的认识。它们提供了与生物金属配合物（如含铜的血青素活性位点）的结构和功能非常相似的化学系统。该研究项目在很大程度上依赖于化学、生物学和分子生物学等各领域科学家的合作，没有这些合作，就不可能在分子水平上研究含金属的生物系统。在第30届国际配位化学会议（ICCC）之前，我们举办了生物无机化学研讨会，多位前任和现任项目组成员发表了他们的研究活动。我们编写了一份关于1991-1994年期间研究项目全部活动的集体报告。本研究的结果将加深我们对金属离子生物学功能的认识，并最终对生命现象的认识。

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.