'''Metallochaperones''' are a distinct class of molecular chaperones that facilitate the intracellular transport of metal ions, such as copper and zinc, to different metalloproteins, e.g., metalloenzymes, in cells through specific protein-protein interactions.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Rosenzweig|first=Amy C|date=2002-06-01|title=Metallochaperones: Bind and Deliver|journal=Chemistry & Biology|volume=9|issue=6|pages=673–677|doi=10.1016/S1074-5521(02)00156-4|issn=1074-5521|doi-access=free|pmid=12079778 }}</ref> In this way, for example, the proteins ensure that the correct metal ion cofactor is acquired by its corresponding metalloenzyme.<ref name=":2">{{cite journal |journal=Science |date=2003-05-09 |volume=300 |pages=931–6 |title=Transition metal speciation in the cell: insights from the chemistry of metal ion receptors |vauthors=Finney LA, O'Halloran TV |doi=10.1126/science.1085049 |pmid=12738850 |issue=5621 |bibcode=2003Sci...300..931F |s2cid=14863354 }}</ref> Metallochaperones are essential to the proper functioning of cells, playing a vital role in a large number of biological processes including, for example, respiration, photosynthesis, neurotransmission, and protein folding.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal|url=http://www.eurekaselect.com/93873/article|title=Metallochaperones - an Overview|last=Sekhon|first=Bhupinder Singh|date=2010-05-01|journal=Current Chemical Biology|volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=173–186 |doi=10.2174/2212796811004020173 |language=en|access-date=2019-01-21|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
Prior to the discovery of metallochaperones in the late 1990s, biologists believed that metal ions freely diffused within cells without the aid of auxiliary proteins.<ref name=":2" /> Today, it is well established that these special molecules contribute to the intracellular homeostatic control of biometal ions.<ref name=":3" />
== References == {{Reflist}}
Category:Transport proteins Category:Metalloproteins
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