Abstract
Vitamin B12 is an essential biomolecule for humans and it is only produced by certain microorganisms. Its elegant, yet complex structure combined with its fascinating properties attracted research of some of the most extraordinary scientists in the past, which opened new horizons in medicine, crystallography and organic synthesis. Studies on the mechanism of B12 dependent enzymes suggest that the coordination and electrochemical properties at the cobalt centre of cobalamins are essential for its biological activity. The crucial role of cobalamins for cell replication is also attractive for developing inhibitors of B12 dependent enzymes as novel anti-proliferating drugs.
Zhou, Kai