MILS-13 provides an up-to-date review on the relationships between essential metals and human diseases, covering 13 metals and 3 metalloids: The bulk metals sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, plus the trace elements manganese, iron, cobalt, copper, zinc, molybdenum, and selenium, all of which are essential for life. Also covered are chromium, vanadium, nickel, silicon, and arsenic, which have been proposed as being essential for humans in the 2nd half of the last century. However, if at all, they are needed only in ultra-trace amounts, and because of their prevalence in the environment, it has been difficult to prove whether or not they are required. In any case, all these elements are toxic in higher concentrations and therefore, transport and cellular concentrations of at least the essential ones, are tightly controlled; hence, their homeostasis and role for life, including deficiency or overload, and their links to illnesses, including cancer and neurological disorders, are thoroughly discussed. Indeed, it is an old wisdom that metals are indispensable for life. Therefore, Volume 13 provides in an authoritative and timely manner in 16 stimulating chapters, written by 29 internationally recognized experts from 7 nations, and supported by more than 2750 references, and over 20 tables and 80 illustrations, many in color, a most up-to-date view on the vibrant research area of the Interrelations between Essential Metal Ions and Human Diseases.

The discovery of ribozymes nearly 30 years ago triggered a huge interest in the chemistry and biology of RNAs. Much of the recently made progress focusing on metal ions is addressed in MILS 9. This book, written by 28 internationally recognized experts from 8 nations, provides a most up-to-date view and is thus of special relevance for colleagues teaching courses in biological inorganic chemistry and for researchers dealing, e.g., with nucleic acids, gene expression, and enzymology, but also for those in analytical and bioinorganic chemistry or biophysics. Structural and Catalytic Roles of Metal Ions in RNA describes in an authoritative and timely manner in 12 stimulating chapters, supported by nearly 1600 references, 13 tables, and 75 illustrations, mostly in color, metal ion-binding motifs, methods to detect and characterize metal ion-binding sites, and the role of metal ions in folding and catalysis. It deals with diffuse metal ion binding, RNA quadruplexes, the regulation of riboswitches, metal ions and ribozymes, including artificial ribozymes. The spliceosome, the ribosome, ribozymes involving redox cofactors as well as the binding of kinetically inert metal ions to RNA are also covered.

Volume 7, devoted to the vital and rapidly expanding research area around metal-carbon bonds (see also MILS-6), focuses on the environment. With more than 2500 references, 35 tables, and nearly 50 illustrations, many of these in color, it is an essential resource for scientists working in the wide range from organometallic chemistry, inorganic biochemistry, environmental toxicology all the way through to physiology and medicine. In 14 stimulating chapters, written by 29 internationally recognized experts, Organometallics in Environment and Toxicology highlights in an authoritative and timely manner environmental cycles of elements involving organometal(loid) compounds as well as the analytical determination of such species. This book examines methane formation involving the nickel coenzyme F430, as well as the organometal(loid) compounds formed by tin, lead, arsenic, antimony, bismuth, selenium, tellurium, and mercury. In addition, it deals with the environmental bioindication, biomonitoring, and bioremediation of organometal(loid)s, and it terminates with methylated metal(loid) species occurring in humans by evaluating assumed and proven health effects caused by these compounds.

Volume 8, solely devoted to the toxicology of metals and metalloids as well as their compounds, focuses on human health. Not surprisingly, all related research areas are rapidly developing due to the role of metals and metalloids in the environment, for the work place, for food and water supply, etc. Written by 40 internationally recognized experts, the 14 stimulating chapters provide an authoritative and timely resource for scientists working in the wide range from analytical, physical, inorganic, and environmental biochemistry all the way through to toxicology, physiology, and medicine. Volume 8 highlights, supported by nearly 1900 references, in a comprehensive and timely manner the principles of risk assessment regarding the effects of metals on human health. It examines how metal ions and their compounds affect the pulmonary, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal (including liver), hematological, immune, and neurological systems, the kidney, skin and eyes, as well as human reproduction and development. MILS-8 terminates with the role of metal ions as endocrine disrupters, in genotoxicity, and cancer risk.

The occurrence of a wide variety of metal-carbon bonds in living organisms, ranging from bacteria to humans, is only recently recognized. Of course, the historical examples are the B12 coenzymes containing cobalt-carbon bonds, but now such bonds are also known for nickel, iron, copper, and other transition metal ions. There is no other comparable book; MILS-6, written by 17 experts, summarizes the most recent insights into this fascinating topic.

These sulfur-rich chelators, being important in metal ion homeostasis, find increasing attention. MILS-5, written by 30 internationally recognized experts, focuses on this hot topic. The reader is supported by about 20 tables, more than 80 illustrations and nearly 2000 references. This book is an essential resource for scientists working in a wide range of disciplines from environmental toxicology and inorganic biochemistry all the way through to physiology and medicine.

Volume 11 provides in an authoritative and timely manner in 16 stimulating chapters, written by 40 internationally recognized experts from 11 nations, and supported by more than 2600 references, 35 tables, and over 100 illustrations, many in color, a most up-to-date view on the role of cadmium for life, presently a vibrant research area. MILS-11 covers the bioinorganic chemistry of Cd(II), its biogeochemistry, anthropogenic release into the environment, and speciation in the atmosphere, waters, soils, and sediments. The analytical tools for Cd determination, its imaging in cells, and the use of 113Cd NMR to probe Zn(II) and Ca(II) proteins are summarized, as are Cd(II) interactions with nucleotides, nucleic acids, amino acids, and proteins including metallothioneins. The phytoremediation by Cd(II)-accumulating plants, etc., the toxicology of Cd(II), its damage to mammalian organs, and its role as a carcinogen for humans, are highlighted.

Interplay between Metal Ions and Nucleic Acids provides in an authoritative and timely manner in 12 stimulating chapters, written by 24 internationally recognized experts from 8 nations, and supported by nearly 1500 references, about 20 tables, and 125 illustrations, many in color, a most up-to-date view on metal ion-nucleic acid interactions; the characterization of which is covered in solution and in the solid state. The volume concentrates on modern developments encompassing topics in the wide range from G-quadruplexes via DNAzymes, catalysis at the DNA scaffold, and metal-mediated base pairs to peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) being thus of relevance, e.g., for chemistry and nanotechnology but also for molecular biology and (genetic) diagnostics.

Volume 39, devoted solely to the vital research area on molybdenum and tungsten and their role in biology, offers a comprehensive and timely account of this fascinating topic by 40 distinguished international authorities. With more than 2200 references to assist further research, Molybdenum and Tungsten: Their Roles in Biological Processes is an essential resource for scientists and students in many disciplines, including bioinorganic, inorganic, and coordination chemistry; biochemistry; biophysics; molecular biology; enzymology; pharmacology; physiology; clinical chemistry; nutrition; toxicology; and environmental sciences.

This volume focuses on the physical methods to probe the coordination sphere of metal ions in biological systems, which are based on para-magnetic species, namely, the electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and electron spin echo (ESE) techniques.

Volume 18, entitled Metallo-Drugs: Development and Action of Anticancer Agents of the series Metal Ions in Life Sciences centers on biological, medicinal inorganic chemistry. The serendipitous discovery of the antitumor activity of cis-diamminodichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin) by Barnett Rosenberg in the 1960s is a landmark in metallodrug-based chemotherapy. The success of cisplatin in the clinic, followed by oxaliplatin and carboplatin, along with their drawbacks relating mainly to resistance development and severe toxicity, initiated research on polynuclear platinum complexes and on Pt(IV) complexes as prodrugs. Furthermore, the indicated shortcomings led to the exploration of other transition and main group metal ions, among them Ru(II/III), Au(I/III), Ti(IV), V(IV/V), and Ga(III) including also the essential metal ions Fe(II/III), Cu(I/II), and Zn(II). Ionic as well as covalent and non-covalent interactions between structurally very different complexes and biomolecules like nucleic acids, proteins, and carbohydrates are studied and discussed with regard to their possible anticancer actions. Hence, MILS-18 summarizes the research at the forefront of medicinal inorganic chemistry, including studies on the next-generation, tailor-made anticancer drugs. All this and more is treated in an authoritative and timely manner in the 17 stimulating chapters of this book, written by 39 internationally recognized experts from 10 nations (from the US via Europe to China and Australia). The impact of this vibrant research area is manifested by more than 2700 references, nearly 150 illustrations (more than half in color) and several comprehensive tables. Metallo-Drugs: Development and Action of Anticancer Agents is an essential resource for scientists working in the wide range from enzymology, material sciences, analytical, organic, and inorganic biochemistry all the way through to medicine including the clinic ... not forgetting that it also provides excellent information for teaching.

This volume first considers the categories of zinc metalloenzymes, together with models of the enzymic metal-ion binding sites. It covers the nutritional aspects of zinc: its absorption and excretion, its influence on the activity of enzymes and hormones, and the zinc deficiency syndrome.

Volume 44, devoted solely to the vital research areas concerning the biogeochemistry of metals and their transport in the environment and availability to living systems, offers 9 timely and authoritative chapters on these fascinating topics by 19 internationally recognized experts.

Volume 39: Molybdenum and Tungsten: Their Roles in Biological Processes is devoted soley to the vital research area on molybdenum and tungsten and their role in biology. It offers a comprehensive and timely account of this fascinating topic by 40 distinguished international authorities. Topics include: transport, homeostasis, regulation and binding of molybdate and tungstate to proteins, crystallographic characterization, coordination of complexes, and biosynthesis.

This book describes drug metal-ion interactions in the gut and deals with the deficiency of zinc and iron and their pharmacological use. It covers anti-inflammatory activities of copper and gold complexes and considers the role of metal ions and chelating agents in anti-viral chemotherapy.

"Highlights the availability of magnesium to organisms, its uptake and transport in microorganisms and plants as well as its role in health and disease of animals and humans including its toxicology."

This volume is devoted solely to the research area of metalloenzymes involving amino acid-residue and related radicals. Topics covered include: general considerations; structure, function and engineering of peroxidases; and ribonucleotide reductase in mammalian systems.

This volume is devoted to the research area regarding the biological properties of metal alkyl derivatives, offering an authoritative account of this subject by 16 scientists. In 11 chapters, Biological Properties of Metal Alkyl Derivatives highlights, in detail, derivatives of germanium, tin, lead, arsenic, antimony, selenium, tellurium, cobalt (vitamin B12 derivatives) and nickel (coenzyme F430), including the role of (mainly) micro-organisms in their formation. The derivatives of indium, thallium, bismuth, various transition metals and mercury are also covered to some extent, as are those of the non-metals silicon, phosphorus and sulfur, and the haloperoxidase route of the biogenesis of halomethanes by fungi and plants. The properties of these alkyl derivatives, their biosynthesis, including mechanistic aspects, their appearance in waters (rivers, lakes, oceans) and sediments, and their physiological and toxic effects are summarized.

Volume 17, entitled Lead: Its Effects on Environment and Health of the series Metal Ions in Life Sciences centers on the interrelations between biosystems and lead. The book provides an up-to-date review of the bioinorganic chemistry of this metal and its ions; it covers the biogeochemistry of lead, its use (not only as gasoline additive) and anthropogenic release into the environment, its cycling and speciation in the atmosphere, in waters, soils, and sediments, and also in mammalian organs. The analytical tools to determine and to quantify this toxic element in blood, saliva, urine, hair, etc. are described. The properties of lead(II) complexes formed with amino acids, peptides, proteins (including metallothioneins), nucleobases, nucleotides, nucleic acids, and other ligands of biological relevance are summarized for the solid state and for aqueous solutions as well. All this is important for obtaining a coherent picture on the properties of lead, its effects on plants and toxic actions on mammalian organs. This and more is treated in an authoritative and timely manner in the 16 stimulating chapters of Volume 17, which are written by 36 internationally recognized experts from 13 nations. The impact of this recently again vibrant research area is manifested in nearly 2000 references, over 50 tables and more than 100 illustrations (half in color). Lead: Its Effects on Environment and Health is an essential resource for scientists working in the wide range from material sciences, inorganic biochemistry all the way through to medicine including the clinic ... not forgetting that it also provides excellent information for teaching.

Continuing to explore the relationship between the chemistry of metals and life processes, this volume in the Metal Ions in Biological Systems series examines the degradation of environmental pollutants by micro-organisms. It covers the action of micro-organisms and metalloenzymes on lignin, tannins, hemicelluloses, cellulose and aromatic compounds, as well as on halogenated aromatics and aliphatics; analyzes mechanistic aspects; considers the role of metalloproteases in biotechnology and wastewater sludge treatment; and describes the metal-dependent conversion of inorganic nitrogen and sulfur compounds.

Part of a series devoted to understanding the relationship between the chemistry of metals and life processes, the present volume offers contributions by 25 scientists covering mechanistic considerations, electron tunneling pathways, photoinduced and stereoselective effects in electron transfer reac

Thirty chapters provide a handbook-like treatment of magnesium and its function in the environment, its bioinorganic chemistry, its role for plants and in animal and human nutrition, its biochemistry and physiology, and its relation to human health and disease. The last 20 years have seen a prolifer

This book considers nickel in the environment and in aquatic systems and outlines its role for plants. It discusses the toxicology of nickel compounds and the role of nickel in carcinogenesis, focusing on the analysis of nickel in biological materials and the related difficulties.

This book facilitates a wider use of nuclear magnetic resonance in studies of paramagnetic species. It summarizes studies of magnetically coupled metalloproteins, of paramagnetic heme proteins, and of metal-porphyrin-induced dipolar shifts for conformational analysis.

This volume is an attempt to improve the understanding of the coordination chemistry and action of the biologically important compounds, also termed antibiotics, and to stimulate further research in this area, describing the properties of the biologically important compounds.