Metallobiology – serie

Metal chelators are emerging as versatile tool with many medical applications. Their versatility allows them to be used in chelation therapy for treating diseases caused by toxic and heavy metal poisoning, chelating agents are capable of binding to toxic metal ions to form complex structures which are easily excreted from the body removing them from intracellular or extracellular spaces. In addition, metal chelators can also be applied as contrast agents in MRI scanning. Metal Chelation in Medicine provides a clear and timely perspective on the role of chelating agents in the management of metal intoxications and storage diseases. Written by leaders in the field of chelators, this publication is at the cutting-edge of the subject. It covers a broad range of topics such as the use of metal chelators in non-invasive assessment of brain iron overload, and the treatment of systemic iron overload and neurodegenerative diseases. As such it is particularly valuable to clinicians treating metal poisonings and metal storage diseases. However, it is also a useful text for researchers, industry professionals and university students with a specific interest in medicinal chemistry, chelation, metal ions, imaging and non-invasive techniques.

There has been enormous progress in our understanding of molybdenum and tungsten enzymes and relevant inorganic complexes of molybdenum and tungsten over the past twenty years. This set of three books provides a timely and comprehensive overview of the field and documents the latest research. The first volume in the set focusses on the enzymes themselves, and discusses active sites and substrate channels of relevant proteins. The book begins with an introductory overview of the whole field. Chapters are contributed by world leaders and topics covered include pyranopterin cofactor biosynthesis and incorporation of the mature cofactor into apoprotein. Subsequent volumes cover the bioinorganic chemistry relevant to these enzymes and the full range of spectroscopic and theoretical methods that are used to investigate their physical and electronic structure and function. This text will be a valuable reference to workers both inside and outside the field, including graduate students and young investigators interested in developing new research programs in this area.

The reduction of nitrate to nitrogen by metalloenzymes is a vital step in the nitrogen cycle. The importance of this pathway has inspired efforts to understand in greater depth the mechanisms involved. This book presents and discusses the latest information on multiple aspects of denitrification.Written by recognized specialists in the field, this book describes the bioinorganic aspects and the key enzymes involved in denitrification, including their structure, function and mechanisms. Active site modelling, novel methodologies for monitoring denitrification in vivo and biotechnological methods for water treatment are discussed. The book also focusses on the environmental implications of denitrification, such nitrate accumulation and the release of nitrous oxide into the atmosphere from excessive fertiliser use.An important topic in many biological, environmental and agricultural contexts, this book will aid teaching and help bioinorganic chemists and biotechnologists gain an up-to-date picture of the science behind the denitrification process.

There has been enormous progress in our understanding of molybdenum and tungsten enzymes and relevant inorganic complexes of molybdenum and tungsten over the past twenty years. This set of three books provides a timely and comprehensive overview of the field and documents the latest research. Building on the first volume that focussed on biochemistry aspects, the second volume in the set focusses on the inorganic complexes that model the structures and reactivity of the active sites of each major group of molybdenum and tungsten enzymes. Special attention is given to synthetic strategies, reaction mechanism and chemical kinetics of these systems. The introductory chapter provides a useful overview and places the topic of the book into a wider context. This text will be a valuable reference to workers both inside and outside the field, including graduate students and young investigators interested in developing new research programs in this area.

There has been enormous progress in our understanding of molybdenum and tungsten enzymes and relevant inorganic complexes of molybdenum and tungsten over the past twenty years. This set of three books provides a timely and comprehensive overview of the field and documents the latest research. Building on the first and second volumes that focussed on biochemistry and bioinorganic chemistry aspects, the third volume focusses on spectroscopic and computational methods that have been applied to both enzymes and model compounds. A particular emphasis is placed on how these important studies have been used to reveal critical components of enzyme mechanisms.This text will be a valuable reference to workers both inside and outside the field, including graduate students and young investigators interested in developing new research programs in this area.

There has been enormous progress in our understanding of molybdenum and tungsten enzymes and relevant inorganic complexes of molybdenum and tungsten over the past twenty years. This set of three books provides a timely and comprehensive overview of the field and documents the latest research. The first volume focusses on the enzymes themselves, and discusses active sites and substrate channels of relevant proteins. The second volume covers the inorganic complexes that model the structures and reactivity of the active sites of each major group of molybdenum and tungsten enzymes. Special attention is given to synthetic strategies, reaction mechanism and chemical kinetics of these systems. In the final volume, spectroscopic and computational methods that have been applied to both enzymes and model compounds are explored with an emphasis on how these studies have been used to reveal critical components of enzyme mechanisms.Each book begins with an introductory overview that sets the three thematic areas of each book into proper context. Written by leading experts, this set of books will be a valuable reference to workers both inside and outside the field, including graduate students and young investigators interested in developing new research programs in this area.

Gas molecules such as O2, NO, CO and ethylene are present in the environment and are endogenously (enzymatically) produced to act as signalling molecules in biological systems, including the regulation of metabolic networks, chemotaxis, circadian rhythms, mammalian hypoxia responses, and plant ethylene responses by transcriptional, translational, or post translational control. Sensing these gas molecules is the first step in their acting as signalling molecules. When a sensor domain/protein senses an external signal, intra- and inter-molecular signal transductions take place to regulate the biological function of a regulatory domain/protein such as DNA-binding, enzymatic activity, or protein–protein interaction. Interaction between gas molecules and sensor proteins is essential for recognition of gas molecules. Metal-containing prosthetic groups such as haem, iron–sulfur clusters, and non-haem iron centres are widely used. As these metal-containing centres are good spectroscopic probes, detail characterizations have utilized spectroscopic techniques along with X-ray crystallography.Covering both the signalling and sensing of gaseous molecules, this book provides the first comprehensive overview of gas sensor proteins in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. This book will be particularly interesting to postgraduates and researchers in biochemistry, molecular biology and metallobiology.

Aerobic organisms have evolved to utilise the intrinsic oxidising power of oxygen from the atmosphere. This so-called 'activation' of oxygen is often catalysed by a heme-containing enzyme. This book highlights the many and varied catalytic activities of O2-dependent heme–iron enzymes, including monoxygenases and cytochrome P450, dioxygenases, oxidases and model heme systems.Dioxygen-dependent Heme Enzymes will be a useful resource for postgraduate students and researchers in biochemistry and metallobiology working in, or moving into, research areas involving heme proteins.

Dementia and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s are becoming an increasingly important cause of medical and social concern due to the growth in the ageing population. Mechanisms and Metal Involvement in Neurodegenerative Diseases delivers in one volume a streamlined source of information on each of the main neurodegenerative diseases including mild cognitive impairment, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Freiderich's ataxia, prion disease, multiple sclerosis and alcoholic brain damage.Each chapter is structured to give the definition of disease, proteins involved with structure of normal protein and abnormal proteins, pathology associated with the abnormal proteins, oxidative stress and inflammation, iron homeostatic mechanisms, primary neurotransmitter involved, other metal involvement and therapeutic strategies. Structures of the adherent protein involved in the disease process are also presented with emphasis on the chemical structures used in the treatment of each neurodegenerative disease together with their biochemical mode of action.Written by acknowledged experts in their respective areas this new book provides readers with readily accessible information on each of the neurodegenerative diseases.

Metal ions play key roles in biology. Many are essential for catalysis, for electron transfer and for the fixation, sensing, and metabolism of gases. Others compete with those essential metal ions or have toxic or pharmacological effects.This book is structured around the periodic table and focuses on the control of metal ions in cells. It addresses the molecular aspects of binding, transport and storage that ensure balanced levels of the essential elements. Organisms have also developed mechanisms to deal with the non-essential metal ions. However, through new uses and manufacturing processes, organisms are increasingly exposed to changing levels of both essential and non-essential ions in new chemical forms. They may not have developed defenses against some of these forms (such as nanoparticles).Many diseases such as cancer, diabetes and neurodegeneration are associated with metal ion imbalance. There may be a deficiency of the essential metals, overload of either essential or non-essential metals or perturbation of the overall natural balance.This book is the first to comprehensively survey the molecular nature of the overall natural balance of metal ions in nutrition, toxicology and pharmacology. It is written as an introduction to research for students and researchers in academia and industry and begins with a chapter by Professor R J P Williams FRS.

Heme peroxidases are widely distributed in biological systems and are involved in a wide range of processes essential for life. This book provides a comprehensive single source of information on the various aspects of heme peroxidase structure, function and mechanism of action. Chapters written and edited by worldwide experts span a range of heme peroxidases from plants, yeast, bacteria and mammals. Discussed functions of peroxidases range from cell wall synthesis, synthesis of prostaglandins, role in drug suppression of tuberculosis, and antibacterial activity. Included is a discussion of peroxidases that also act as catalases and oxygenases. Heme Peroxidases serves as an essential text for those working in industry and academia in biochemistry and metallobiology.

Since the discovery of the first examples of 2-oxoglutarate-dependent oxygenase-catalysed reactions in the 1960s, a remarkably broad diversity of alternate reactions and substrates has been revealed, and extensive advances have been achieved in our understanding of the structures and catalytic mechanisms. These enzymes are important agrochemical targets and are being pursued as therapeutic targets for a wide range of diseases including cancer and anemia.This book provides a central source of information that summarizes the key features of the essential group of 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases and related enzymes. Given the numerous recent advances and biomedical interest in the field, this book aims to unite the latest research for those already working in the field as well as to provide an introduction for those newly approaching the topic, and for those interested in translating the basic science into medicinal and agricultural benefits.The book begins with four broad chapters that highlight critical aspects, including an overview of possible catalytic reactions, structures and mechanisms. The following seventeen chapters focus on carefully selected topics, each written by leading experts in the area. Readers will find explanations of rapidly evolving research, from the chemistry of isopenicillin N synthase to the oxidation mechanism of 5-methylcytosine in DNA by ten-eleven-translocase oxygenases.

Gasotransmitters are gas molecules produced endogenously in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells for signalling purposes. This book provides, for the first time, a comprehensive description and systematic look at all gasotransmitters, established or proposed, since their detection in 2002. The content and scope covers the production, metabolism, and signalling roles of gasotransmitters. Conceptual advances, scientific discoveries and newly developed techniques described in this book influence our understanding of fundamental molecular and cellular events in biology and medicine.This book serves as the state-of-the-art book for undergraduate and graduate students as well as post-doctoral fellows in biomedical disciplines and toxicologists studying the toxic mechanisms of gasotransmitters in the environment. It will also be welcomed by researchers in university and research institutes, government agencies, pharmaceutical and medical instrument industry, and clinical practice.