Biological Inorganic Chemistry

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