Focusing on issues of gene organization, regulation, and evolution in the context of the whole life of the cell, this new volume complements the editors' classic 1993 volume Bacillus subtilis and Other Gram-Positive Bacteria. Building upon the previous edition, Bacillus subtilis and Its Closest Relatives contains an updated annotation of the complete B. subtilis genome and includes a unique compilation of major pathways of metabolism and macromolecular synthesis, correlating genes and proteins and assigning new functions to many genes. It also provides clear explanations of the major regulatory mechanisms that are unique to gram-positive bacteria as well as an overview of their special properties. This essential reference offers detailed, current information and is valuable reading for microbiologists, biotechnologists, and students.

This volume of Current Topics in Membranes focuses on metal transmembrane transporters and pumps, a recently discovered family of membrane proteins with many important roles in the physiology of living organisms. The book summarizes the most recent advances in the field of metal ion transport and provides a broad overview of the major classes of transporters involved in homeostasis of heavy metals. Various families of the transporters and metal specificities are discussed with the focus on the structural and mechanistic aspects of their function and regulation. The reader will access information obtained through a variety of approaches ranging from X-ray crystallography to cell biology and bioinformatics, which have been applied to transporters identified in diverse biological systems, such as pathogenic bacteria, plants, humans and others. Field is cutting-edge and a lot of the information is new to research community Wide breadth of topic coverage Contributors of high renown and expertise

This book covers allocation of metals in cells, metal transporter, storage and metalloregulatory proteins, cellular responses to metal ion stress, transcription of genes involved in metal ion homeostasis, uptake of essential metals, metal efflux and other detoxification mechanisms. The book also discusses metal bioreporters for the nanomolar range of concentration and tools to address the metallome. In addition, coverage details specific metals.

This book is the first comprehensive volume on the "Nramp family", highlighting the physiological importance of Nramp proteins as metal transporters. The molecular knowledge of these membrane proteins is presented from an evolutionary perspective, considering Nramp cellular function and mechanism of transport in key model organisms. The pathological significance of Nramp genetic polymorphism is discussed with emphasis on metal homeostasis and microbial infection. The chapters were contributed by leading investigators, providing a timely state of the art book in this rapidly growing field. The Nramp Family will be useful to a broad community of scientists interested in metal transport and molecular biology. It will be of interest to the research audience in the broad fields of metal ions and molecular medicine.

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.

Metal ions play key roles in biology. Many are essential for catalysis, for electron transfer and for the fixation, sensing, and metabolism of gases. Others compete with those essential metal ions or have toxic or pharmacological effects. This book is structured around the periodic table and focuses on the control of metal ions in cells. It addresses the molecular aspects of binding, transport and storage that ensure balanced levels of the essential elements. Organisms have also developed mechanisms to deal with the non-essential metal ions. However, through new uses and manufacturing processes, organisms are increasingly exposed to changing levels of both essential and non-essential ions in new chemical forms. They may not have developed defenses against some of these forms (such as nanoparticles). Many diseases such as cancer, diabetes and neurodegeneration are associated with metal ion imbalance. There may be a deficiency of the essential metals, overload of either essential or non-essential metals or perturbation of the overall natural balance. This book is the first to comprehensively survey the molecular nature of the overall natural balance of metal ions in nutrition, toxicology and pharmacology. It is written as an introduction to research for students and researchers in academia and industry and begins with a chapter by Professor R J P Williams FRS.

Over the last three decades a lot of research on the role of metals in biochemistry and medicine has been done. As a result many structures of biomolecules with metals have been characterized and medicinal chemistry studied the effects of metal containing drugs. This new book (from the EIBC Book Series) covers recent advances made by top researchers in the field of metals in cells [the “metallome”] and include: regulated metal ion uptake and trafficking, sensing of metals within cells and across tissues, and identification of the vast cellular factors designed to orchestrate assembly of metal cofactor sites while minimizing toxic side reactions of metals. In addition, it features aspects of metals in disease, including the role of metals in neuro-degeneration, liver disease, and inflammation, as a way to highlight the detrimental effects of mishandling of metal trafficking and response to "foreign" metals. With the breadth of our recently acquired understanding of metals in cells, a book that features key aspects of cellular handling of inorganic elements is both timely and important. At this point in our understanding, it is worthwhile to step back and take an expansive view of how far our understanding has come, while also highlighting how much we still do not know. The content from this book will publish online, as part of EIBC in December 2013, find out more about the Encyclopedia of Inorganic and Bioinorganic Chemistry, the essential online resource for researchers and students working in all areas of inorganic and bioinorganic chemistry.