Metal ions introduced to proteins by supramolecular ligands

Abstract

Congo red and other supramolecular structures may intercalate various foreign compounds, particularly planar ones. Such hybrid ligands, acting as a unit, may attach themselves to proteins and penetrate into their interior, together with any intercalated substances. If the intercalant is a metal complexone, a stable metalloprotein may be formed. This chapter discusses intercalation of metal complexones with metal ions bound by supramolecular Congo red as a means of introducing contrast to amyloid-like aggregates in order to trace the initial stages of amyloidogenesis. We investigate the applicability of Titan yellow carrying silver ions, and the alizarin complexone carrying tungsten and lead ions.