‘Direct’ Electrochemistry of Redox-active Proteins

Abstract

Several metalloproteins, through their ability to trigger electron-transfer processes, participate in vital functions such as photosynthesis or respiration. Since the active sites of such molecules are deeply protected by protein envelopes, detection of the electron exchange between a solid electrode and the active site is conditioned by precise electrode pretreatments. The chapter explains the rational preparation of electrodes and their application to largely known biological systems like cytochromes, iron–sulfur proteins and copper proteins.