Physical and Chemical Properties of Flavins; Binding of Flavins to Protein and Conformational Effects; Biosynthesis of Riboflavin

Abstract

It is our purpose to present in this chapter selected aspects of the chemical and physical properties of flavins, the influence of flavin binding on protein conformation, the modes of flavin-protein interaction, and the biosynthesis of riboflavin. Clearly, the diversity and extent of subject matter precludes comprehensive review. Rather, we choose to emphasize recent advances that seem to bear on future progress in flavoprotein biology and chemistry. Although some effort is made to establish historical perspective, it would be inappropriate and impossible to cite all the investigators whose studies have contributed to the advancements discussed here.