Research Interest :

Prof.H.Z.Sun

Bioinorganic Chemistry; Medicinal Inorganic Chemistry and

Inorganic Structural Biology.

Curriculum vitae

I. Recognition of Metallodrugs by Biomolecules

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Medicinal Inorganic chemistry has been stimulating

Chong Yuet Ming Chemistry Building

largely by the success of the anticancer drug, cis-platin .

The University of Hong Kong

Various metal complexesare currently used as therapeutic

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(Au, Bi and Pt), diagnostic andimaging contrasting agents

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(Gd, 99m Tc) in clinical. Understanding the mechanism

Email:hsun@hku.hk

of action of these metallodrugs is crucial in order to

design more effective drugs. Currently, we focus on the

design and synthesis of new metal complexes (Sb and Bi),

their interactions with peptides(e.g., trypanothione),

proteins (e.g. transferrin) and enzymes (e.g.,urease) under

a variety of conditions. The recognition of metallodrugsby

biomolecules will be investigated directly in biofluids (e.g.

urine, plasma and various cells)by NMR and other

biophysical techniques

II. Structure and Function of Metalloproteins and Metal Transporters

One-third of all proteins are "metalloproteins". The metal ions in metalloproteins are

critical to the protein's function, structure, or stability. In fact, numerous essential

biological functions require metal ions, and most of these metal ion functions

involve metalloproteins. Our current interest lies on a Cys-rich metalloprotein,

neuronal g rowth i nhibitory f actor (GIF or metallothionein III) and histidine-rich

proteins (Hpn). We have solved the three dimensional structure of the a -domain

of MT-3 and TM4 of DMT1 by NMR and other biophysical techniques. A new

program on the structural biology of heavy metal binding proteins has been initiated.