Chapters in this book review the remarkable advances in the field of zinc biology over the last decade. Zinc is essential for life, in particular for growth and development, through its role in hundreds of zinc enzymes and thousands of zinc proteins. Its catalytic, structural, and regulatory functions in these proteins impact metabolism, gene expression, and signal transduction, including neurotransmission. Among the micronutrients, zinc may rank with iron as to its importance for public health. The topics covered range from single molecules to cells and to whole organisms: the chemistry, design, and application of fluorophores for the determination of cellular zinc; the role of zinc in proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of cells; proteins that transport, sense, and distribute zinc and together form a cellular homeostatic system; the coordination chemistry of zinc in metalloproteins; the role of zinc in the brain as a neuromodulator/transmitter; the dependence of the immune system on zinc; zinc homeostasis in the whole human body.

The present volume is one of a series concerned with topics considered to be of growing interest to those whose ultimate aim is the understanding of the nutrition of man. Volumes on Sweetness, Calcium in Human Biology and Sucrose: Nutritional and Safety Aspects, have already been published, and another, on Dietary Starches and Sugars in Man: A Comparison, is in preparation. Written for workers in the nutritional and allied sciences rather than for the specialist, they aim to fill the gap between the textbook on the one hand and the many publications addressed to the expert on the other. The target readership spans medicine, nutrition and the biological sciences generally and includes those in the food, chemical and allied industries who need to take account of advances in these fields relevant to their products. Funded by industry but with an independent status, the Inter national Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) is a non-profit organization founded to deal objectively with the numerous health and safety issues that today concern industry internationally. ILSI sponsors scientific research, organizes conferences and publishes monographs relative to these problems. London Ian Macdonald March 1988 Series Editor Preface This volume has been prepared at a time when interest in both the biological roles of zinc and its nutritional significance is growing rapidly.

In response to the worldwide health problems caused by nutritional zinc deficiency, coupled with the remarkable advances in our knowledge of zinc metabolism, the author has written this monograph on the clinical effects of this important mineral. Dr. Prasad focuses on biochemical aspects, but also includes chapters on toxicity and assessment techniques in order to provide clinicians who encounter zinc related problems in their practice with a practical reference source.

. Providing a solid foundation for future research, Biochemistry of Zinc is a thorough, state-of-the-art resource for researchers and students in biochemistry, nutrition, and medical research, as well as physicians who are likely to encounter zinc-related problems in their practice.

Metallomics and the Cell provides in an authoritative and timely manner in 16 stimulating chapters, written by 37 internationally recognized experts from 9 nations, and supported by more than 3000 references, several tables, and 110 illustrations, mostly in color, a most up-to-date view of the "metallomes" which, as defined in the "omics" world, describe the entire set of biomolecules that interact with or are affected by each metal ion. The most relevant tools for visualizing metal ions in the cell and the most suitable bioinformatic tools for browsing genomes to identify metal-binding proteins are also presented. Thus, MILS-12 is of relevance for structural and systems biology, inorganic biological chemistry, genetics, medicine, diagnostics, as well as teaching, etc.

This volume is the newest release in the authoritative series issued by the National Academy of Sciences on dietary reference intakes (DRIs). This series provides recommended intakes, such as Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs), for use in planning nutritionally adequate diets for individuals based on age and gender. In addition, a new reference intake, the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL), has also been established to assist an individual in knowing how much is "too much" of a nutrient. Based on the Institute of Medicine's review of the scientific literature regarding dietary micronutrients, recommendations have been formulated regarding vitamins A and K, iron, iodine, chromium, copper, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, and other potentially beneficial trace elements such as boron to determine the roles, if any, they play in health. The book also: Reviews selected components of food that may influence the bioavailability of these compounds. Develops estimates of dietary intake of these compounds that are compatible with good nutrition throughout the life span and that may decrease risk of chronic disease where data indicate they play a role. Determines Tolerable Upper Intake levels for each nutrient reviewed where adequate scientific data are available in specific population subgroups. Identifies research needed to improve knowledge of the role of these micronutrients in human health. This book will be important to professionals in nutrition research and education.

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.