NO participates in numerous physiological processes of which many involve the reaction of NO with metalloenzymes to form a metal–nitrosyl (M–NO). Now, addition of NO to models of type 1 Cu sites has provided a fully characterized S-nitrosothiol adduct, [CuI](κ1-N(O)SR), that reversibly loses NO upon purging with an inert gas. These findings suggest a new motif for reversible binding of nitric oxide at bioinorganic metal centres.
- Shiyu Zhang
- Marie M. Melzer
- Timothy H. Warren