Metal ions play key roles in biology. Many are essential for catalysis, for electron transfer and for the fixation, sensing, and metabolism of gases. Others compete with those essential metal ions or have toxic or pharmacological effects. This book is structured around the periodic table and focuses on the control of metal ions in cells. It addresses the molecular aspects of binding, transport and storage that ensure balanced levels of the essential elements. Organisms have also developed mechanisms to deal with the non-essential metal ions. However, through new uses and manufacturing processes, organisms are increasingly exposed to changing levels of both essential and non-essential ions in new chemical forms. They may not have developed defenses against some of these forms (such as nanoparticles). Many diseases such as cancer, diabetes and neurodegeneration are associated with metal ion imbalance. There may be a deficiency of the essential metals, overload of either essential or non-essential metals or perturbation of the overall natural balance. This book is the first to comprehensively survey the molecular nature of the overall natural balance of metal ions in nutrition, toxicology and pharmacology. It is written as an introduction to research for students and researchers in academia and industry and begins with a chapter by Professor R J P Williams FRS.
The importance of metals in biology, the environment and medicine has become increasingly evident over the last twenty five years. The study of the multiple roles of metal ions in biological systems, the rapidly expanding interface between inorganic chemistry and biology constitutes the subject called Biological Inorganic Chemistry. The present text, written by a biochemist, with a long career experience in the field (particularly iron and copper) presents an introduction to this exciting and dynamic field. The book begins with introductory chapters, which together constitute an overview of the concepts, both chemical and biological, which are required to equip the reader for the detailed analysis which follows. Pathways of metal assimilation, storage and transport, as well as metal homeostasis are dealt with next. Thereafter, individual chapters discuss the roles of sodium and potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, iron, copper, nickel and cobalt, manganese, and finally molybdenum, vanadium, tungsten and chromium. The final three chapters provide a tantalising view of the roles of metals in brain function, biomineralization and a brief illustration of their importance in both medicine and the environment.Relaxed and agreeable writing style. The reader will not only fiind the book easy to read, the fascinating anecdotes and footnotes will give him pegs to hang important ideas on.Written by a biochemist. Will enable the reader to more readily grasp the biological and clinical relevance of the subject.Many colour illustrations. Enables easier visualization of molecular mechanismsWritten by a single author. Ensures homgeneity of style and effective cross referencing between chapters
In this timely monograph, the author summarizes the rapidly growing body of knowledge regarding nickel by providing a balanced discussion of its harmful and beneficial effects. Coverage includes a history of nickel; the chemistry of nickel, descriptions of the four known enzymes which contain nickel; and nickel metabolism in microbes, plants, and animals. Taken as a whole, Dr. Hausinger's work will highlight key features of this important element and help define future research.
Helmut Sigel, Astrid Sigel and Roland K.O. Sigel, in close cooperation with John Wiley & Sons, launch a new Series “Metal Ions in Life Sciences”. The philosophy of the Series is based on the one successfully applied to a previous series published by another publisher, but the move from “biological systems” to “life sciences” will open the aims and scope and allow for the publication of books touching on the interface between chemistry, biology, pharmacology, biochemistry and medicine. Volume 2 focuses on the vibrant research area concerning nickel as well as its complexes and their role in Nature. With more than 2,800 references and over 130 illustrations, it is an essential resource for scientists working in the wide range from inorganic biochemistry all the way through to medicine. In 17 stimulating chapters, written by 47 internationally recognized experts, Nickel and Its Surprising Impact in Nature highlights critically the biogeochemistry of nickel, its role in the environment, in plants and cyanobacteria, as well as for the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori, for gene expression and carcinogenensis. In addition, it covers the complex-forming properties of nickel with amino acids, peptides, phosphates, nucleotides, and nucleic acids. The volume also provides sophisticated insights in the recent progress made in understanding the role of nickel in enzymes such as ureases, hydrogenases, superoxide dismutases, acireductone dioxygenases, acetyl-coenzyme A synthases, carbon monoxide dehydrogenases, methyl-coenzyme M reductases...and it reveals the chaperones of nickel metabolism.
The remarkable development of molecular biology has had its counterpart in an impressive growth of a segment of biology that might be described as atomic biology. The past several decades have witnessed an explosive growth in our knowledge of the many elements that are essential for life and maintenance of plants and animals. These essential elements include the bulk elements (hydro gen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur), the macrominerals (sodium, potas sium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, and phosphorus), and the trace elements. This last group includes the ultra trace elements and iron, zinc, and copper. Only the ultratrace elements are featured in this book. Iron has attracted so much research that two volumes are devoted to this metal-The Biochemistry of Non-Heme Iron by A. Bezkoravainy, Plenum Press, 1980, and The Biochemistry of Heme Iron (in preparation). Copper and zinc are also represented by a separate volume in this series. The present volume begins with a discussion of essentiality as applied to the elements and a survey of the entire spectrum of possible required elements.
The Chemistry of Iron, Cobalt and Nickel deals with the chemistry of iron, cobalt, and nickel and covers topics ranging from the occurrence and distribution of all three elements to their properties, allotropy, and analytical chemistry. Compounds of iron, cobalt, and nickel in both low and high oxidation states are also discussed. This book is divided into three sections and begins with the history of iron, along with its occurrence and distribution, allotropy, and preparation and industrial production. The nuclear, physical, and chemical properties of iron, as well as the biological importance of iron compounds, are also considered. Compounds of iron are discussed, including carbonyls and nitric oxide complexes. The next two sections deal with the history, occurrence and distribution, allotropy, analytical chemistry, and preparation and industrial production of cobalt and nickel, along with their nuclear, physical, and chemical properties. Compounds of cobalt and nickel are examined, from carbonyls and nitrosyls to cyanides and organometallic compounds. This monograph will be a useful resource for inorganic chemists.
Comprehensive and multidisciplinary presentation of the current trends in trace elements for human, animals, plants, and the environment This reference provides the latest research into the presence, characterization, and applications of trace elements and their role in humans, animals, and plants as well as their use in developing novel, functional feeds, foods, and fertilizers. It takes an interdisciplinary approach to the subject, describing the biological and industrial applications of trace elements. It covers various topics, such as the occurrence, role, and monitoring of trace elements and their characterization, as well as applications from the preliminary research to laboratory trials. Recent Advances in Trace Elements focuses on the introduction and prospects of trace elements; tackles environmental aspects such as sources of emission, methods of monitoring, and treatment/remediation processes; goes over the biological role of trace elements in plants, animals, and human organisms; and discusses the relevance of biomedical applications and commercialization. A compendium of recent knowledge in interdisciplinary trace element research Uniquely covers production and characterization of trace elements, as well as the industrial and biomedical aspects of their use Paves the way for the development of innovative products in diverse fields, including pharmaceuticals, food, environment, and materials science Edited by well-known experts in the field of trace elements with contributions from international specialists from a wide range of areas Unique in presenting comprehensive and multidisciplinary information of the key aspects of trace elements research in a digestible form, this book is essential reading for the novice and expert in the fields of environmental science, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, materials science, pharmaceutical science, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical sciences. It is also valuable for companies that implement new products incorporating trace elements to the market.
Bacteria in various habitats are subject to continuously changing environmental conditions, such as nutrient deprivation, heat and cold stress, UV radiation, oxidative stress, dessication, acid stress, nitrosative stress, cell envelope stress, heavy metal exposure, osmotic stress, and others. In order to survive, they have to respond to these conditions by adapting their physiology through sometimes drastic changes in gene expression. In addition they may adapt by changing their morphology, forming biofilms, fruiting bodies or spores, filaments, Viable But Not Culturable (VBNC) cells or moving away from stress compounds via chemotaxis. Changes in gene expression constitute the main component of the bacterial response to stress and environmental changes, and involve a myriad of different mechanisms, including (alternative) sigma factors, bi- or tri-component regulatory systems, small non-coding RNA’s, chaperones, CHRIS-Cas systems, DNA repair, toxin-antitoxin systems, the stringent response, efflux pumps, alarmones, and modulation of the cell envelope or membranes, to name a few. Many regulatory elements are conserved in different bacteria; however there are endless variations on the theme and novel elements of gene regulation in bacteria inhabiting particular environments are constantly being discovered. Especially in (pathogenic) bacteria colonizing the human body a plethora of bacterial responses to innate stresses such as pH, reactive nitrogen and oxygen species and antibiotic stress are being described. An attempt is made to not only cover model systems but give a broad overview of the stress-responsive regulatory systems in a variety of bacteria, including medically important bacteria, where elucidation of certain aspects of these systems could lead to treatment strategies of the pathogens. Many of the regulatory systems being uncovered are specific, but there is also considerable “cross-talk” between different circuits. Stress and Environmental Regulation of Gene Expression and Adaptation in Bacteria is a comprehensive two-volume work bringing together both review and original research articles on key topics in stress and environmental control of gene expression in bacteria. Volume One contains key overview chapters, as well as content on one/two/three component regulatory systems and stress responses, sigma factors and stress responses, small non-coding RNAs and stress responses, toxin-antitoxin systems and stress responses, stringent response to stress, responses to UV irradiation, SOS and double stranded systems repair systems and stress, adaptation to both oxidative and osmotic stress, and desiccation tolerance and drought stress. Volume Two covers heat shock responses, chaperonins and stress, cold shock responses, adaptation to acid stress, nitrosative stress, and envelope stress, as well as iron homeostasis, metal resistance, quorum sensing, chemotaxis and biofilm formation, and viable but not culturable (VBNC) cells. Covering the full breadth of current stress and environmental control of gene expression studies and expanding it towards future advances in the field, these two volumes are a one-stop reference for (non) medical molecular geneticists interested in gene regulation under stress.
