Coordinated design of cofactor and active site structures in development of new protein catalysts.

New methods for the synthesis of artificial metalloenzymes are important for the construction of novel biocatalysts and biomaterials. Recently, we reported new methodology for the synthesis of artificial metalloenzymes by reconstituting apo-myoglobin with metal complexes (Ohashi, M. et al.

Crystal structures of artificial metalloproteins: tight binding of FeIII(Schiff-Base) by mutation of Ala71 to Gly in apo-myoglobin.

Apo-myoglobin (apo-Mb) and apo-A71GMb were successfully reconstituted with FeIII(salophen) (1) (salophen = N,N'-bis(salicylidene)-1,2-phenilenediamine), Fe(III)(3,3'-Me2-salophen) (2), and FeIII(5,5'-t-Bu2-salophen) (3). The crystal structure of 2.apo-A71GMb shows the tight binding of the complex in the Mb cavity, while in wild-type apo-Mb it is highly disordered due to the steric repulsion with Ala71.

Tumor regression by combined immunotherapy and hyperthermia using magnetic nanoparticles in an experimental subcutaneous murine melanoma.

Immunotherapy (IT) has become an accepted therapeutic modality. We previously reported that intracellular hyperthermia (IH) using magnetic nanoparticles induces antitumor immunity. We undertook these studies in order to study the combined effects of IT and IH on melanoma.