Manganese in biological systems

In this chapter we attempted to convey both the knowledge and the excitement that surrounds the study of manganese in biological systems. For many years, the field was focused on designing the most accurate structural models for these centers. As studies in these areas have ma-... 

Considering the plethora of recent literature citations regarding the roles of manganese in biological systems, it is perhaps useful at this point to summarize those developments that this author considers most significant and to indicate those areas or topics that deserve attention in future research endeavours. 

J. R. In Metal Ions in Biological Systems. Volume 37. Manganese and its Role in Biological Processes Eds. Sigel, A. Sigel, H. Marcel Dekker New York, 2000. 

Manganese is of particular interest because of its central role in many marine geochemical processes and involvement in biological systems. 

Sec also Chelates and Chelation Cobalt Copper Gold Hydrate Iron Manganese and Molybdenum (In Biological Systems). 

The principal micronutrients and their deficiencies in soils of the United States are shown in Table 3. Even though the traditional micronutrients may be required only in minute quantities, deficiencies can lead to diseased crops and stunted livestock. See also entries on Boron Copper (In Biological Systems) Iron Manganese Molybdenum (In Biological Systems) and Zinc (In Biological Systems). 

The most common metal encountered in electron transfer systems is iron, although copper and manganese play vital functions. Merely to emphasise the complexity of the catalysts that are used in biology, the structures of the active sites of ascorbate oxidase (Fig. 10-11) and superoxide dismutase (Fig. 10-12) are presented. It is clear that we have only just begun to understand the exact ways in which metal ions are used to control the reactivity of small molecules in biological systems. 

F. C. Wedler, Biological significance of manganese in mammalian systems, Prog. Med. Chem., 30 (1993), 89-133. 

Because most of the first transition series elements are essential in biological systems there is considerable interest in the possibility that transferrins may be involved in their binding and translocation. This is certainly a distinct possibility, because neither transferrin nor lactoferrin is more than 30% saturated with iron in body fluids. There is as yet little hard evidence, however. Transferrin has been reported to be the main carrier for manganese in blood (158), just as lactoferrin is in milk (25), and thermodynamic studies suggest that transferrin is also capable of competing with serum albumin for zinc under the... 

Perhaps the most important area of biochemistry in which ESR is used is the study of metalloproteins. Transition metals in certain oxidation and spin states have unpaired electrons, are paramagnetic, and in many cases are amenable to ESR spectroscopy. The most commonly found transition metals in biological systems are iron, copper, molybdenum, cobalt, and manganese. The remainder, including metals such as vanadium and... 

The significance of [Fe4S4]n+ (193) and [Mn4X4]"+ (194) (where X = oxo, chloro, or alkoxo ligands) in biological systems, has made the synthesis and properties of iron and manganese alkoxide cubes... 

Manganese (Mn) is present in biological systems bound to protein in either the 2 or 3" valence state. It is associated mainly witli the formation of connective and bony tissue, with growth and reproductive functions, and with carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. 

Ash DE, Cox JD and Christianson DW (2000) Arginase a binudear manganese metalloenzyme. In Sigel A, Sigel H, eds. Metal Ions in Biological Systems, Vol 37, Manganese and Its Role in Biological Processes, pp. 407-428. Marcel Dekker Inc, New York-Basel. 

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