Beryllium(II) binding to ATP and ADP: Potentiometric determination of the thermodynamic constants and implications for in vivo toxicity
Highly toxic beryllium(II) is divalent metal ion with a high charge density, making it a potential target for binding to bio-molecules rich in O donor groups. In aqueous solution Be2+ binds to ATP and ADP to form 1:1 Be2+:ATP and Be2+:ADP complexes in relatively acidic media. At neutral pH the complex formed undergoes hydrolysis. Be2+ binding to ATP and ADP is much stronger than Ca2+ and Mg2+ binding. The high affinity of Be2+ toward ATP and ADP binding suggests a mechanism relevant to understanding the in vivo chemical toxicity of this metal.