Roland K. O. Sigel – författare

Metal Ions in Life Sciences links coordination chemistry and biochemistry in their widest sense and thus increases our understanding of the relationship between the chemistry of metals and life processes. The series reflects the interdisciplinary nature of Biological Inorganic Chemistry and coordinates the efforts of scientists in fields like biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, coordination chemistry, molecular and structural biology, enzymology, environmental chemistry, physiology, toxicology, biophysics, pharmacy, and medicine. Consequently, the volumes are an essential source for researchers active in these and related fields as well as teachers preparing courses, e.g., in Bioinorganic Chemistry.

About this Book...

Volume 1, devoted solely to the vital research area concerning the role of metal ions in neurodegenerative diseases, offers in 15 stimulating chapters an authoritative and timely view of this fascinating subject.

Written by 41 internationally recognized experts, Neurodegenerative Diseases and Metal Ions highlights, supported by 130 illustrations, the recent progress made in understanding the role metal ions play in diseases like transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (Creutzfeldt-Jakob and related diseases), Alzheimer''s, Parkinson''s, Huntington''s, Wilson''s and Menkes'' diseases, as well as in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and others. The interplay between metal ions, catecholamines and the formation of reactive oxygen species resulting in oxidative stress is considered, as is the metalloneurochemistry of zinc and the neurotoxicity of aluminum, cadmium, lead, and mercury. The need for novel drugs which manipulate metal-centered neuropathology is emphasized.

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.

There exists a whole range of books on Cytochromes P450, but none with the focus of this volume. This new volume in the Series concentrates on current hot topics in the area and tries to work out the underlying common developments.

As a result the reader will find a systematic account of new results in this exciting research area. The table of contents gives an idea on the wide span of chapters, starting with overviews and the presentation of specific systems, and ending with chapters on carbon-carbon bond cleavage by P450 sytems, drug metabolism as catalyzed by P450 systems, decomposition of xenobiotics by P450 enzymes and design and engineering of new P450 systems.

MILS-16 provides an up-to-date review of the impact of alkali metal ions on life. Their bioinorganic chemistry and analytical determination, the solid state structures of bio-ligand complexes and the properties of alkali metal ions in solution in the context of all kinds of biologically relevant ligands are covered, this includes proteins (enzymes) and nucleic acids (G-quadruplexes). Minerals containing sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) are abundant in the Earth''s crust, making Na+ and K+ easily available. In contrast, the alkali elements lithium (Li+), rubidium, and cesium are rare and the radioactive francium occurs only in traces. Since the intra- and extracellular, as well as the compartmental concentrations of Na+ and K+ differ significantly, homeostasis and active transport of these ions are important; this involves transporters/carriers and pore-forming ion channel proteins. Systems like Na+/K+-ATPases, H+/K+-ATPases or Na+/H+ antiporters are thoroughly discussed. The role of K+ in photosynthesis and the role of Na+ in charging the "battery of life" are pointed out. Also, the relationships between alkali metal ions and diseases (e.g., Parkinson or traumatic brain injury) are covered and the relevance of Li+ salts in medicine (pharmacology and mechanism) is reviewed. This and more is treated in an authoritative and timely manner in the 16 stimulating chapters of Volume 16, The Alkali Metal Ions: Their Role for Life, which are written by 44 internationally recognized experts from 12 nations. The impact of this vibrant research area is manifested in nearly 3000 references, over 30 tables and more than 150 illustrations (two thirds in color). MILS-16 also provides excellent information for teaching.

Astrid Sigel, Helmut Sigel, and Roland K. O. Sigel have long-standing interests in Biological Inorganic Chemistry. Their research focuses on metal ion interactions with nucleotides and nucleic acids and on related topics. They edited previously 44 volumes in the series Metal Ions in Biological Systems.