Computer Simulation of Heme Proteins

LUCIANA CAPECE; DARIO A. ESTRIN

Baltimore

Congreso; 55th Biophysical Society Meeting; 2011

American Biophysical Society

Heme proteins are present in all living organisims and perform a wide range of functions. All these proteins present a heme group in their active site. The iron in the heme group posses six coordination positions, four of them occupied by the pyrrolic nytrogen atoms of the porphyrin. The other two coordination sites are called proximal and distal site. The proximal site is normally occupied by a protein residue, tipically histidine, cisteine or tyrosine. The distal site, on the other hand, is commonly where the exogenous ligands bind to the protein and allow it to perform its function.