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Metabolites
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Trace Metal Element Metabolism in Biological Systems
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Trace Metal Element Metabolism in Biological Systems

A special issue of Metabolites (ISSN 2218-1989). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Metabolism".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2024) | Viewed by 9461

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Minglin Lang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Interests: metal homeostasis; neurodegeneration; Alzheimer’s disease; bio-interaction; protein modification
Prof. Dr. Guiran Xiao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Food Science and Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
Interests: metal; zinc; iron; tumor; metabolism; homeostasis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Metals such as iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) are essential for life because they are required in a multitude of biological processes. These metals are critical to maintain diverse biochemical and physiological functions in living organisms with moderate concentrations, and an increasing amount of evidence has indicated that either deficiency or excess, and their misplacement may cause physiological defects, disordered metabolism pathways, and a series of diseases such as human Friedreich’s ataxia, neurodegenerative disease or cancers such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer and kidney tumors, etc. Enhanced understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying metals metabolism in both normal and pathophysiological conditions is crucial not only for the discovery of novel targets able to modulate these processes, but also the development of effective therapeutic strategies or compounds, to ultimately ameliorate or prevent the associated diseases. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of metals contributing to these disorders are largely unclear at present.

This Special Issue aims to highlight recent advances in the molecular mechanisms underlying the physiology and pathophysiology of metal homeostasis, especially for metal roles in keeping regular biological metabolism pathways, and their dys-homeostasis-induced disordered metabolism pathway. The content will include molecular mechanisms of metal homeostasis, the contacts between them and the relationship between metals and diseases, multi-biological interactions, and it will bring together different disciplines of metals to uncover their internal laws in but not limited to human neurodegenerative diseases, cancers, plant disease, and epidemic disease.

Prof. Dr. Minglin Lang
Prof. Dr. Guiran Xiao
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Metabolites is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • trace metal elements
  • homeostasis mechanism
  • protein misfolding
  • protein modification
  • autophagy
  • human disease
  • plant disease
  • epidemic disease

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 684 KiB  
Article
Overweight, Obesity, Hypertriglyceridemia, and Insulin Resistance Are Positively Associated with High Serum Copper Levels in Mexican Adults
by Armando Ramírez-Cruz, María Judith Rios-Lugo, Jacqueline Soto-Sánchez, Cuauhtémoc Arturo Juárez-Pérez, Alejandro Cabello-López, Carmina Jiménez-Ramírez, Consuelo Chang-Rueda, Miguel Cruz, Héctor Hernández-Mendoza and Miguel Vazquez-Moreno
Metabolites 2024, 14(5), 282; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14050282 - 14 May 2024
Viewed by 1055
Abstract
Recently, the role of trace elements in the pathophysiology of obesity, insulin resistance (IR), and metabolic diseases has been explored. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to assess the association of overweight, obesity, and cardiometabolic traits with serum copper (Cu) levels in 346 [...] Read more.
Recently, the role of trace elements in the pathophysiology of obesity, insulin resistance (IR), and metabolic diseases has been explored. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to assess the association of overweight, obesity, and cardiometabolic traits with serum copper (Cu) levels in 346 Mexican adults. Serum Cu level was measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Anthropometrical data were collected, and biochemical parameters were measured. The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index was used as a surrogate marker to evaluate IR. Overweight and obesity status was positively associated with the serum Cu level (β = 19.434 ± 7.309, p = 0.008). Serum Cu level was observed to have a positive association with serum triglycerides level (β = 0.160 ± 0.045, p < 0.001) and TyG (β = 0.001 ± 0.001, p < 0.001). Additionally, high serum Cu level was positively associated with overweight and obesity status (odds ratio [OR] = 1.9, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.1–3.4, p = 0.014), hypertriglyceridemia (OR = 3.0, 95% CI 1.7–5.3, p < 0.001), and IR (OR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.4–4.6, p = 0.001). In conclusion, our results suggest that overweight, obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, and IR are positively associated with serum Cu levels in Mexican adults. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trace Metal Element Metabolism in Biological Systems)
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13 pages, 2795 KiB  
Article
A Metabolomic Analysis to Assess the Responses of the Male Gonads of Mytilus galloprovincialis after Heavy Metal Exposure
by Gennaro Lettieri, Carmela Marinaro, Carlo Brogna, Luigi Montano, Martina Lombardi, Alessio Trotta, Jacopo Troisi and Marina Piscopo
Metabolites 2023, 13(12), 1168; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13121168 - 22 Nov 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2032
Abstract
In recent years, metabolomics has become a valuable new resource in environmental monitoring programs based on the use of bio-indicators such as Mytilus galloprovincialis. The reproductive system is extremely susceptible to the effects of environmental pollutants, and in a previous paper, we [...] Read more.
In recent years, metabolomics has become a valuable new resource in environmental monitoring programs based on the use of bio-indicators such as Mytilus galloprovincialis. The reproductive system is extremely susceptible to the effects of environmental pollutants, and in a previous paper, we showed metabolomic alterations in mussel spermatozoa exposed to metal chlorides of copper, nickel, and cadmium, and the mixture with these metals. In order to obtain a better overview, in the present work, we evaluated the metabolic changes in the male gonad under the same experimental conditions used in the previous work, using a metabolomic approach based on GC-MS analysis. A total of 248 endogenous metabolites were identified in the male gonads of mussels. Statistical analyses of the data, including partial least squares discriminant analysis, enabled the identification of key metabolites through the use of variable importance in projection scores. Furthermore, a metabolite enrichment analysis revealed complex and significant interactions within different metabolic pathways and between different metabolites. Particularly significant were the results on pyruvate metabolism, glycolysis, and gluconeogenesis, and glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, which highlighted the complex and interconnected nature of these biochemical processes in mussel gonads. Overall, these results add new information to the understanding of how certain pollutants may affect specific physiological functions of mussel gonads. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trace Metal Element Metabolism in Biological Systems)
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Review

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17 pages, 4982 KiB  
Review
The Link between Trace Metal Elements and Glucose Metabolism: Evidence from Zinc, Copper, Iron, and Manganese-Mediated Metabolic Regulation
by Zhendong Sun, Yuzhuo Shao, Kunhao Yan, Tianzhao Yao, Lulu Liu, Feifei Sun, Jiarui Wu and Yunpeng Huang
Metabolites 2023, 13(10), 1048; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13101048 - 2 Oct 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3879
Abstract
Trace metal elements are of vital importance for fundamental biological processes. They function in various metabolic pathways after the long evolution of living organisms. Glucose is considered to be one of the main sources of biological energy that supports biological activities, and its [...] Read more.
Trace metal elements are of vital importance for fundamental biological processes. They function in various metabolic pathways after the long evolution of living organisms. Glucose is considered to be one of the main sources of biological energy that supports biological activities, and its metabolism is tightly regulated by trace metal elements such as iron, zinc, copper, and manganese. However, there is still a lack of understanding of the regulation of glucose metabolism by trace metal elements. In particular, the underlying mechanism of action remains to be elucidated. In this review, we summarize the current concepts and progress linking trace metal elements and glucose metabolism, particularly for the trace metal elements zinc, copper, manganese, and iron. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trace Metal Element Metabolism in Biological Systems)
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26 pages, 3018 KiB  
Review
A Comprehensive Review on the Roles of Metals Mediating Insect–Microbial Pathogen Interactions
by Subhanullah Khan and Minglin Lang
Metabolites 2023, 13(7), 839; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13070839 - 11 Jul 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1876
Abstract
Insects and microbial pathogens are ubiquitous and play significant roles in various biological processes, while microbial pathogens are microscopic organisms that can cause diseases in multiple hosts. Insects and microbial pathogens engage in diverse interactions, leveraging each other’s presence. Metals are crucial in [...] Read more.
Insects and microbial pathogens are ubiquitous and play significant roles in various biological processes, while microbial pathogens are microscopic organisms that can cause diseases in multiple hosts. Insects and microbial pathogens engage in diverse interactions, leveraging each other’s presence. Metals are crucial in shaping these interactions between insects and microbial pathogens. However, metals such as Fe, Cu, Zn, Co, Mo, and Ni are integral to various physiological processes in insects, including immune function and resistance against pathogens. Insects have evolved multiple mechanisms to take up, transport, and regulate metal concentrations to fight against pathogenic microbes and act as a vector to transport microbial pathogens to plants and cause various plant diseases. Hence, it is paramount to inhibit insect–microbe interaction to control pathogen transfer from one plant to another or carry pathogens from other sources. This review aims to succinate the role of metals in the interactions between insects and microbial pathogens. It summarizes the significance of metals in the physiology, immune response, and competition for metals between insects, microbial pathogens, and plants. The scope of this review covers these imperative metals and their acquisition, storage, and regulation mechanisms in insect and microbial pathogens. The paper will discuss various scientific studies and sources, including molecular and biochemical studies and genetic and genomic analysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trace Metal Element Metabolism in Biological Systems)
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