Zn(II) to Ag(I) Swap in Rad50 Zinc Hook Domain Leads to Interprotein Complex Disruption through the Formation of Highly Stable Ag(Cys) Cores.

The widespread application of silver nanoparticles in medicinal and daily life products increases the exposure to Ag(I) of thiol-rich biological environments, which help control the cellular metallome. A displacement of native metal cofactors from their cognate protein sites is a known phenomenon for carcinogenic and otherwise toxic metal ions. Here, we examined the interaction of Ag(I) with the peptide model of the interprotein zinc hook (Hk) domain of Rad50 protein from , a key player in DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair.