The metal centers in the copper proteins can be classified into several types: •
Type I copper centres (T1Cu) are characterized by a single copper atom coordinated by two
histidine residues and a
cysteine residue in a
trigonal planar structure, and a variable axial
ligand. In
class I T1Cu proteins (e.g.
amicyanin,
plastocyanin and pseudoazurin) the axial ligand is the sulfur of
methionine, whereas aminoacids other than methionine (e.g.
glutamine) give rise to class II T1Cu copper proteins.
Azurins contain the third type of T1Cu centres: besides a methionine in one axial position, they contain a second axial ligand (a
carbonyl group of a
glycine residue). T1Cu-containing proteins are usually called "
cupredoxins", and show similar three-dimensional structures, relatively high reduction potentials (> 250 mV), and strong absorption near 600 nm (due to
S→
Cu charge transfer), which usually gives rise to a blue colour. Cupredoxins are therefore often called "blue copper proteins". This may be misleading, since some T1Cu centres also absorb around 460 nm and are therefore green. When studied by
EPR spectroscopy, T1Cu centres show small hyperfine splittings in the parallel region of the spectrum (compared to common copper coordination compounds). •
Type II copper centres (T2Cu) exhibit a
square planar coordination by N or N/O
ligands. They exhibit an axial
EPR spectrum with copper
hyperfine splitting in the parallel region similar to that observed in regular copper coordination compounds. Since no sulfur ligation is present, the optical spectra of these centres lack distinctive features. T2Cu centres occur in
enzymes, where they assist in oxidations or oxygenations. •
Type III copper centres (T3Cu) consist of a pair of copper centres, each coordinated by three histidine residues. These proteins exhibit no EPR signal due to strong antiferromagnetic coupling (i.e. spin pairing) between the two S = 1/2 metal ions due to their covalent overlap with a
bridging ligand. These centres are present in some oxidases and
oxygen-transporting proteins (e.g.
hemocyanin and
tyrosinase). • Binuclear
Copper A centres (CuA) are found in
cytochrome c oxidase and
nitrous-oxide reductase (). The two copper atoms are coordinated by two histidines, one methionine, a protein backbone carbonyl oxygen, and two bridging cysteine residues. •
Copper B centres (CuB) are found in
cytochrome c oxidase. The copper atom is coordinated by three histidines in trigonal pyramidal geometry. • A tetranuclear
Copper Z centre (CuZ) is found in nitrous-oxide reductase. The four copper atoms are coordinated by seven histidine residues and bridged by a sulfur atom. == Blue copper proteins ==