This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "Zinc Signaling in Physiology and Pathogenesis" that was published in IJMS

This book describes the crucial role of "zinc signals" in biological processes on a molecular and physiological basis, discussing future directions and questions underlying this unique phenomenon. To accomplish this, a group of worldwide leaders in the field, who have made outstanding contributions, overview zinc signals from a professional standpoint. Zinc plays an indispensable role in various cellular processes. It regulates a great number of protein functions including transcription factors, enzymes, adapters, and growth factors as a structural or catalytic factor or both. Recently, another function of zinc has received extensive interest and attention because of its potential importance as a signaling mediator. Zinc plays a dynamic role as an intracellular and extracellular signaling factor and thus regulates cellular signaling pathways, which enables communication between cells, conversion of extracellular stimuli to intracellular signals, and control of various intracellular events. These functions of zinc have become recognized as “zinc signals,” which play critical roles in physiology, and therefore their imbalance can cause a variety of problems with regard to human health. Because the notion of zinc signals is quite new and no integrative review books focusing on them have yet been published, we believe this book will provide very timely information on the subject and thus should be of importance and interest to a wide range of readers.

This book, now in an extensively revised second edition, describes the crucial role of zinc signaling in biological processes on a molecular and physiological basis. Global leaders in the field review the latest knowledge, including the very significant advances in understanding that have been achieved since publication of the first edition. Detailed information is provided on all the essentials of zinc signaling, covering molecular aspects and the roles of zinc transporters, the zinc sensing receptor, and metallothioneins. Detection techniques for zinc signals, involving genetically encoded and chemical probes, are also described. The critical contributions of the zinc signal in maintaining health and the adverse consequences of any imbalance in the signal are then thoroughly addressed. Here, readers will find up-to-date information on the significance of the zinc signal in a wide range of conditions, including cardiovascular disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory conditions, skin disease, osteoarthritis, and cancer. The book will be of value for researchers, clinicians, and advanced students.

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.

Molecular, Genetic, and Nutritional Aspects of Major and Trace Minerals is a unique reference that provides a complete overview of the non-vitamin micronutrients, including calcium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium, and zinc. In addition, the book covers the nutritional and toxicological properties of nonessential minerals chromium, fluoride and boron, and silicon and vanadium, as well as ultra-trace minerals and those with no established dietary requirement for humans. Users will find in-depth chapters on each essential mineral and mineral metabolism, along with discussions of dietary recommendations in the United States and around the world. Presents the only scientific reference to cover all of the nutritionally relevant essential major and trace minerals Provides a broad introductory chapter on each mineral to give readers valuable background and context Clarifies the cellular and molecular aspects of each mineral and its genetic and genomic aspects Includes coverage of all nutritionally relevant minerals—essential major trace minerals and ultra-trace minerals Underscores the important interactions between minerals so readers learn how metabolism of one mineral influences another

Essential and Toxic Trace Elements and Vitamins in Human Health is a comprehensive guide to the wide variety of micronutrients that affect human health, including fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins that support diverse biochemical functions, trace elements with established and suggested links to health maintenance, and elements with known human toxicity such as arsenic, cadmium, and lead. An essential reference text for nutritionists working in academia and functional food and supplement industries, dieticians, and clinicians, Essential and Toxic Trace Elements and Vitamins in Human Health provides an in-depth look at toxic trace elements and essential vitamins and minerals and their direct influence on the body’s overall health with expert research from renowned scientists. Presents a balanced scientific view of essential and nonessential micronutrients with an in-depth analysis of the biochemical functions each plays in human health Examines particular micronutrients in detail with coverage of clinical aspects, interaction with other micronutrients, immunological effects, cognitive functions and epigenetics Focuses on effective management of micronutrient deficiencies and on toxicity implications of overexposure