Emerging Trends in Metal Biochemistry

Dear Colleagues,

Stereotypically, “biochemistry” is associated with the properties and roles of proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids and the thousands of chemical reactions that occur within the chemical engine that keeps cells alive. Often missing from this picture are the myriad contributions of metal ions that are woven so deeply into the chemistry of life that imbalances in their homeostasis invariably derail cellular function, often with lethal consequences. What makes metals universally useful and indispensable within biology are their distinct chemical behaviors that allow them to support every aspect of life. In fact, there is not one cellular function that does not—in one way or another—rely on the presence of metal ions, be it through passive screening of electrostatics on biopolymer surfaces, direct regulation of biopolymer dynamics, stabilization of protein domains, catalysis, generation of voltages, or cellular signalling. Yet despite its fundamental importance, the biochemistry of metals at large remains understudied and underappreciated—metals, in short, are often taken for granted. However, as life sciences advance, new and sometimes unexpected roles of metals are discovered at an accelerating pace, slowly but surely moving a spotlight onto this exciting field within biochemistry.

Through a mix of review and original articles, the scope of this Special Issue is to highlight recent and emerging trends in the biochemistry of five pivotal metals: calcium, copper, iron, manganese, and zinc. The goal is to share passion for metals by providing an integrated view that spans from cell to systems biology, from biophysics to pharmacology, pathology and clinical applications, showcasing how study of metal biochemistry will make increasingly important contributions to our understanding of life’s mysteries.

Prof. Dr. Vinzenz M. Unger
Guest Editor

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