Forged in O2: Transition metal ions and the rise of aerobic life.

The evolution of oxidative metabolism has shaped life on Earth, from ancient anaerobic microorganisms to modern eukaryotes. Central to aerobic life is the ability of metalloproteins to regulate and utilize dioxygen through tightly controlled biochemical processes. Beginning with the emergence of oxygenic photosynthesis and aerobic respiration, the pivotal roles of metalloenzymes in dioxygen activation, utilization and detoxification are then highlighted. Bridging perspectives from bioinorganic chemistry, enzymology, synthetic biology and microbiome science, we discuss how studies of biomimetic molecular complexes and natural and artificial metalloproteins illuminate the structural and functional strategies used to manage dioxygen reactivity. We further consider the systemic roles of metal ions in maintaining redox balance, shaping host-microbe interactions, and contributing to pathological outcomes when misregulated. A foundation is established for understanding the critical roles that metal ions play in dioxygen chemistry that underpins both healthy metabolism and oxidative stress related diseases.

• Publication year

  2025

• Venue

  Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry

• Publication date

  2025-11-01

• Fields of study

  Biology, Medicine, Chemistry, Environmental Science

• Identifiers
  DOI 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2025.113147PMID 41265342
• External record

  Open on Semantic Scholar

• Source metadata

  Semantic Scholar, PubMed

• No claims are published for this paper.

• No concepts are published for this paper.

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