Metal complexes of amino acids and amino acid side chain groups. Structures and properties.

Alpha-amino acid residues exhibit various functions in biological systems. The side chain groups are very important for formation of the metal center and its catalytic action in proteins. They are involved in metal binding, molecular recognition by weak interactions, enzyme catalysis, and formation of the molecular environment. This perspective focuses on recent studies on characterization of metal-amino acid complexes involving imidazole, phenol, indole, or alkyl groups, their reactivities, and some selected metal-side chain group interactions.