Hammering out details: regulating metal levels in eukaryotes

The transition metals zinc, iron and copper are common constituents in a wide range of proteins. Although these metals are all essential for life, when present in excess, they are frequently toxic to cell growth and viability. Therefore, all organisms rely on sophisticated mechanisms to maintain opt...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Trends in biochemical sciences (Amsterdam. Regular ed.) 2011-10, Vol.36 (10), p.524-531
Main Authors: Ehrensberger, Kate M., Bird, Amanda J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Copper - deficiency
Copper - metabolism
Gene Expression Regulation
Homeostasis
Humans
Iron - deficiency
Iron - metabolism
Saccharomyces cerevisiae - metabolism
Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins - metabolism
Transcription Factors - metabolism
Zinc - deficiency
Zinc - metabolism
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Summary:The transition metals zinc, iron and copper are common constituents in a wide range of proteins. Although these metals are all essential for life, when present in excess, they are frequently toxic to cell growth and viability. Therefore, all organisms rely on sophisticated mechanisms to maintain optimal levels of each metal. Genes that encode metal transport or storage proteins are often regulated at the transcriptional level in response to changes in metal status. In this review, we focus on what is known about the transcription factors that mediate these metal-dependent changes. Specifically, we highlight recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms by which these factors sense metal ions.
ISSN:0968-0004
1362-4326
DOI:10.1016/j.tibs.2011.07.002