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, indivbidual chapters discuss the roles of sodium and potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, iron, copper, nickel and cobalt, manganese, and finlly molybdenum, vanadium, tungsten and chromium. The final three chapers 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.
Contents
The role of metals in biology – an overview
Basic coordination chemistry for biologists
Structural and molecular biology for chemists
Biological ligands for metal ions
An overview of intermediary metabolism and bioenergetics
Methods which can be used to study metals in biology
Metal assimilation pathways
Transport, storage and homeostasis of metal ions
Sodium and potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Zinc
Iron
Copper
Nickel and cobalt
Manganese
Molybdenum, vanadium, tungsten and chromium
Metals in brain function
Biomineralisation
Metals in medicine and the environment
Concluding remarks
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