Taiho Kambe - Böcker

Heavy metals essential to organisms are termed “biometals”. Bio-inorganic chemistry deals with the functions of biometals in vivo at an atomic to molecular level, while cellular regulation of biometals such as absorption and transport has been investigated in cell biology. Although these research fields have independently developed and matured, interdisciplinary information across these fields is required for a comprehensive understanding of the roles of biometals at atomic to molecular, cellular and organism levels.This book highlights the latest progress in zinc biology, from its chemistry to its association with diseases. Zinc is the second most abundant trace metal in living organisms, playing a crucial role in many biological processes. It functions as a catalyst in enzymatic reactions, a structural component in proteins, and a signalling molecule in cellular pathways. Zinc homeostasis is tightly regulated by proteins involved in absorption, storage, transport, and utilization. Disruptions in homeostasis are linked to various diseases.Resulting from a 5-year project on Integrated Biometal Science in Japan, this book not only documents the latest research but also fills a gap between chemical understanding and our real life.

This book describes the crucial role of "zinc signals" in biological processes on a molecular and physiological basis, discussing future directions and questions underlying this unique phenomenon.

This book, now in an extensively revised second edition, describes the crucial role of zinc signaling in biological processes on a molecular and physiological basis. Global leaders in the field review the latest knowledge, including the very significant advances in understanding that have been achieved since publication of the first edition. Detailed information is provided on all the essentials of zinc signaling, covering molecular aspects and the roles of zinc transporters, the zinc sensing receptor, and metallothioneins. Detection techniques for zinc signals, involving genetically encoded and chemical probes, are also described. The critical contributions of the zinc signal in maintaining health and the adverse consequences of any imbalance in the signal are then thoroughly addressed. Here, readers will find up-to-date information on the significance of the zinc signal in a wide range of conditions, including cardiovascular disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes,autoimmune diseases, inflammatory conditions, skin disease, osteoarthritis, and cancer. The book will be of value for researchers, clinicians, and advanced students.