Recent studies in both animals and microbes have indicated a strong role for certain electron-carrier proteins in reductive metal metabolism. Research in my laboratory involves the elucidation of the role of cytochromes and other electron-transporting proteins in reductive metal metabolism. Our goals are to examine, in detail, the enzymes responsible for metal reduction in this model system. This will greatly enhance our understanding of how cells interact with metals and of how these processes affect the availability of metals to biological systems. Both biochemical and molecular approaches are being used to elucidate the identity, role, and membrane topology of components required for metal reduction, including quinones, cytochromes, and flavoproteins.
Iron stimulates the rate of reduction of hexavalent chromium by human microsomes.
Naphthoquinones stimulate the rate of reduction of hexavalent chromium by human microsomes.