Metal Ions In Biological Systems

Metal ions are fundamental elements for the maintenance of the lifespan of plants, animals and humans. Their substantial role in biological systems was recognized a long time ago. They are essential for the maintenance of life and their absence can cause growth disorders, severe malfunction, carcinogenesis or death. They are protagonists as macro- or microelements in several structural and functional roles, participating in many bio-chemical reactions, and arise in several forms. They participate in intra- and intercellular communications, in maintaining electrical charges and osmotic pressure, in photosynthesis and electron transfer processes, in the maintenance of pairing, stacking and the stability of nucleotide bases and also in the regulation of DNA transcription. They contribute to the proper functioning of nerve cells, muscle cells, the brain and the heart, the transport of oxygen and to many other biological processes up to the point that we cannot even imagine a life without metals. In this book, the papers published in the Special Issue “The Role of Metal Ions in Biology, Biochemistry and Medicine” are summarized, providing a picture of metal ion uses in biology, biochemistry and medicine, but also pointing out the toxicity impacts on plants, animals, humans and the environment.

Metal Ions in Biological Systems is devoted to increasing our understanding of the relationship between the chemistry of metals and life processes. The volumes reflect the interdisciplinary nature of bioinorganic chemistry and coordinate the efforts of researchers in the fields of biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, coordination chemis

The articles published in this volume are based on the papers del ivered at a conference on the Role of Metal Ions in Biological Systems held November 20 and 21, 1972, at Argonne National Laboratory. The purpose of the conference was to present to an interdiscipl inary audience of physical scientists some recent developments illustrating the chemical and environ mental participation of the heavy metal ions in the biological system. The invited speakers at the conference are special ists in the fields they describe, and the articles presented here are at a level of interest to readers with backgrounds in physical sciences who are not necessari Iy doing research in the areas described. The articles are referenced through 1972, and in some cases early 1973, and thus should also be of value to research workers. It is hoped that the book wi II be of particular interest to chemists, biologists, workers in the fields of en vironmental science and publ ic health, as wei I as graduate and senior undergraduate students in these discipl ines. The conference was sponsored by the Central States Universities, Inc. , a consortium of sixteen midwestern univer sities, the Center for Educational Affairs, Argonne National Laboratory, and the United States Atomic Energy Commission. It is my pleasure to thank the members of the conference committee for their ideas and active help in organizing the conference.

Metal ions are currently used for such applications as diabetes, anti-inflammatory, rheumatoid arthritis, psychiatric, and anti-ulcer medications, using compounds of vanadium, copper and zinc, gold, lithium, and bismuth, respectively. This text explores these applications in addition to an assessment of chelation therapy, uses in environmental sciences, and the human health effects of metal ion deficiency for several elements-magnesium, calcium, zinc, and iron. Featuring contributions from 29 internationally recognized experts, this book offers a timely, authoritative look at ionic complexes in medicine.

This book describes drug metal-ion interactions in the gut and deals with the deficiency of zinc and iron and their pharmacological use. It covers anti-inflammatory activities of copper and gold complexes and considers the role of metal ions and chelating agents in anti-viral chemotherapy.

"Highlights the availability of magnesium to organisms, its uptake and transport in microorganisms and plants as well as its role in health and disease of animals and humans including its toxicology."

"Volume 35 covers the biological cycling of iron in oceans; the transport of iron in microorganisms, fungi, and plants; the roles and properties of siderophores; the regulation of iron transport and uptake in animals, plants, and microorganisms, and more. "

This volume first considers the categories of zinc metalloenzymes, together with models of the enzymic metal-ion binding sites. It covers the nutritional aspects of zinc: its absorption and excretion, its influence on the activity of enzymes and hormones, and the zinc deficiency syndrome.