How does heavy metal ion, such as Lead Nitrate, denature an enzyme?

[arnab]

How does heavy metal ion, such as Lead Nitrate, denature an enzyme?

I need a detail description of it, up to A2 level standard.Can someone point me to the right direction to this question or give me some hints?

Edited May 10, 2012 by arnab

[Suxamethonium]

I don't know the answer, but on the chance of being a helpful start- some proteins bind to metals such as zinc (usually through cysteine and histidine residues), copper and iron as part of their normal function, perhaps this is a place to start looking in regards to your question until someone else can suggest something more useful. I think such proteins are called 'metalloproteins' if you want to look them up. Obviously the metal binding here is required for the enzymes function, however my point was maybe lead participates in similar bonding disrupting some proteins from their function.

 

Best of luck.