Chapter 1. An Overview of Metals and Selected Nonmetals in Biology
Introduction
Why do We Need Anything Other Than C, H, N, and O (together with some P and S)?
What are the Essential Elements and the Essential Metal Ions?
An Idiosyncratic View of the Periodic Table
Chapter 2. Basic Coordination Chemistry for Biologists
Introduction
Types of Chemical Bonds
Hard and Soft Ligands
Coordination Geometry
Redox Chemistry
Chapter 3. Structural and Molecular Biology for Chemists
Introduction
The Structural Building Blocks of Proteins
Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary Structure of Proteins
Secondary and Tertiary Structures of Nucleic Acids
Chapter 4. Biological Ligands for Metal Ions
Introduction
Insertion of Metal Ions into Metalloproteins
Chelatase – The Terminal Step in Tetrapyrrole Metallation
Iron–Sulfur Cluster Formation
More Complex Cofactors – MoCo, FeMoCo, P-clusters, H-clusters, and CuZ
Siderophores
Chapter 5. An Overview of Intermediary Metabolism and Bioenergetics
Introduction
Redox Reactions in Metabolism
The Central Role of ATP in Metabolism
The Types of Reaction Catalysed by Enzymes of Intermediary Metabolism
An Overview of Catabolism
Selected Case Studies – Glycolysis and the Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle
An Overview of Anabolism
Selected Case Studies: Gluconeogenesis and Fatty Acid Biosynthesis
Bioenergetics – Generation of Phosphoryl Transfer Potential at the Expense of Proton Gradients
Chapter 6. Methods to Study Metals in Biological Systems
Introduction
Magnetic Properties
Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Spectroscopy
Mössbauer Spectroscopy
NMR Spectroscopy
Electronic and Vibrational Spectroscopies
Circular Dichroism and Magnetic Circular Dichroism
Resonance Raman Spectroscopy
Extended X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS)
X-Ray Diffraction
Chapter 7. Metal Assimilation Pathways
Introduction
Inorganic Biogeochemistry
Metal Assimilation in Bacteria
Metal Assimilation in Fungi and Plants
Metal Assimilation in Mammals
Chapter 8. Transport, Storage, and Homeostasis of Metal Ions
Introduction
Metal Storage and Homeostasis in Bacteria
Metal Transport, Storage, and Homeostasis in Plants and Fungi
Metal Transport, Storage, and Homeostasis in Mammals
Chapter 9. Sodium and Potassium – Channels and Pumps
Introduction – Transport Across Membranes
Sodium versus Potassium
Potassium Channels
Sodium Channels
The Sodium–Potassium ATPase
Active Transport Driven by Na+ Gradients
Sodium/Proton Exchangers
Other Roles of Intracellular K+
Chapter 10. Magnesium–Phosphate Metabolism and Photoreceptors
Introduction
Magnesium-Dependent Enzymes
Phosphoryl Group Transfer Kinases
Phosphoryl Group Transfer – Phosphatases
Stabilisation of Enolate Anions – The Enolase Superfamily
Enzymes of Nucleic Acid Metabolism
Magnesium and Photoreception
Chapter 11. Calcium – Cellular Signalling
Introduction – Comparison of Ca2+ and Mg2+
The Discovery of a Role for Ca2+ Other than as a Structural Component
An Overview of Ca2+ Regulation and Signalling
Ca2+ and Cell Signalling
Chapter 12. Zinc – Lewis Acid and Gene Regulator
Introduction
Mononuclear Zinc Enzymes
Multinuclear and Cocatalytic Zinc Enzymes
Zinc Fingers DNA- and RNA-Binding Motifs
Chapter 13. Iron
Introduction
Iron Chemistry
Iron and Oxygen
The Biological Importance of Iron
Biological Functions of Iron-Containing Proteins
Haemoproteins
Other Iron-Containing Proteins
Dinuclear Nonhaem Iron Enzymes
Chapter 14. Copper – Coping with Dioxygen
Introduction
Copper Chemistry and Biochemistry
Copper-Containing Enzymes in Oxygen Activation and Reduction
Mars and Venus – The Role of Copper in Iron Metabolism
Chapter 15. Nickel and Cobalt
Introduction
Nickel Enzymes
Methyl-coenzyme M Reductase
Cobalamine and Cobalt Proteins
B12-dependent Isomerases
B12-dependent Methyltransferases
Noncorrin Co-containing Enzymes
Chapter 16. Manganese – Oxygen Generation and Detoxification
Introduction: Mn Chemistry and Biochemistry
Photosynthetic Oxidation of Water – Oxygen Evolution
Mn2+ and Detoxification of Oxygen Free Radicals
Nonredox di-Mn Enzymes – Arginase
Chapter 17. Molybdenum, Tungsten, Vanadium, and Chromium
Introduction
Mo and W Chemistry and Biochemistry
Molybdenum Enzyme Families
The Xanthine Oxidase Family
The Sulfite Oxidases and DMSO Reductases
Chapter 18. Non-metals in Biology
Introduction
The Major Biogeochemical Cycles
Chapter 19. Biomineralisation
Introduction
Principles of Solid-State Biological Inorganic Chemistry
An Overview of the Major Classes of Biominerals
Chapter 20. Metals in Brain
Introduction
The Brain and the Blood–Brain Barrier (BBB)
Sodium, Potassium, and Calcium Channels
Zinc, Copper, and Iron
Concluding Remarks
Chapter 21. Metals and Neurodegeneration
Introduction
Metal-based Neurodegeneration
Neurodegenerative Diseases Associated with Metals
Chapter 22. Metals in Medicine and Metals as Drugs
Introduction
Disorders of Metal Metabolism and Homeostasis
Metal-based Drugs
Metallotherapeutics with Lithium
Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Chapter 23. Metals in the Environment
Introduction Environmental Pollution and Heavy Metals
Aluminium
Cadmium
Mercury
Lead
Metals as Poisons
