Metals Ions In Biological System

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.

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.

"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. "

Volume 44, devoted solely to the vital research areas concerning the biogeochemistry of metals and their transport in the environment and availability to living systems, offers 9 timely and authoritative chapters on these fascinating topics by 19 internationally recognized experts.

"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."

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.

Volume 39: Molybdenum and Tungsten: Their Roles in Biological Processes is devoted soley to the vital research area on molybdenum and tungsten and their role in biology. It offers a comprehensive and timely account of this fascinating topic by 40 distinguished international authorities. Topics include: transport, homeostasis, regulation and binding