Biological Metals: Metallostasis and Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract

The equilibrium of metal ions is critical for many physiological functions, particularly in the central nervous system, where metals are essential for development and maintenance of enzymatic activities, mitochondrial function, myelination and neurotransmission, as well as learning and memory. Due to their importance, cells have evolved a complex machinery for controlling metal-ion homeostasis. However, disruption of these mechanisms, leading to metallostasis, or absorption of detrimental metals with no known biological function, alters the ionic balance and can result in a disease state, such as those of several neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease. Understanding the co..