Life 2012, 2(4), 274-285; doi:10.3390/life2040274
Article

Bioavailability of Metal Ions and Evolutionary Adaptation

Rolando P. Hong Enriquez* email and Trang N. Doemail
International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Via Bonomea 265, 34151 Trieste, Italy
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 1 October 2012; in revised form: 11 October 2012 / Accepted: 19 October 2012 / Published: 29 October 2012
(This article belongs to the Section Life Sciences)
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Abstract: The evolution of life on earth has been a long process that began nearly 3,5 x 109 years ago. In their initial moments, evolution was mainly influenced by anaerobic environments; with the rise of O2 and the corresponding change in bioavailability of metal ions, new mechanisms of survival were created. Here we review the relationships between ancient atmospheric conditions, metal ion bioavailability and adaptation of metals homeostasis during early evolution. A general picture linking geochemistry, biochemistry and homeostasis is supported by the reviewed literature and is further illustrated in this report using simple database searches.
Keywords: metalloproteins; Fenton reaction; bioavailability; aerobic respiration; photosynthesis; organelle

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MDPI and ACS Style

Hong Enriquez, R.P.; Do, T.N. Bioavailability of Metal Ions and Evolutionary Adaptation. Life 2012, 2, 274-285.

AMA Style

Hong Enriquez RP, Do TN. Bioavailability of Metal Ions and Evolutionary Adaptation. Life. 2012; 2(4):274-285.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Hong Enriquez, Rolando P.; Do, Trang N. 2012. "Bioavailability of Metal Ions and Evolutionary Adaptation." Life 2, no. 4: 274-285.

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