Metallomics Blog

Metal of the Month: Gadolinium

Rebecca Brodie, Deputy Editor — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:56:41 +0000

Not a terribly well known metal, this lanthanide is found in a number of everyday products. A silvery-white metal that is very malleable, gadolinium is only ever found in nature in minerals. Discovered by Swiss chemist Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac, the element is named in honour of Finnish chemist and geologist Johan Gadolin.

Gadolinium is a useful addition to alloys, making them more resistant to high temperature and oxidation, and is often found in magnets, electronic components and recording heads of video recorders. It has also been used to make green phosphors for colour televisions and in the production of CDs.

CDs and the recording heads of video recorders often contain Gd

Because of its paramagnetic properties, in medicine gadolinium complexes are used as contrasting agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), especially in diagnosing cancerous tumours, as it accumulates in abnormal tissue of the brain and body. Currently gadolinium does not have any known biological role.

Recent research has suggested that gadolinium could be a greener replacement for CFCs in refrigeration.

Gadolinium also has a number of other specialized roles including: in the shielding of nuclear reactors, in neutron therapy, and in nuclear marine propulsion.

If you want to know more about gadolinium, take a look at the papers below and discover all about the latest gadolinium research. These will be free to read until June 15th.

You can also take a look at the RSC Visual Element Periodic Table, and the Chemistry in its Element podcast.

And if you work in the area of gadolinium biology, we hope you will consider submitting your next paper to Metallomics

Gadolinium complexes are used as contrasting agents for MRI scans

Lanthanides inhibit adipogenesis with promotion of cell proliferation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes
Cong-Cong Hou, Min Feng, Kui Wang and Xiao-Gai Yang
Metallomics, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3MT00020F

Receptor recognition of transferrin bound to lanthanides and actinides: a discriminating step in cellular acquisition of f-block metals
Gauthier J.-P. Deblonde, Manuel Sturzbecher-Hoehne, Anne B. Mason and Rebecca J. Abergel
Metallomics, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3MT20237B

Accumulation of rare earth elements in human bone within the lifespan
Sofia Zaichick, Vladimir Zaichick, Vasilii Karandashev and Sergey Nosenko
Metallomics, 2011, 3, 186-194
DOI: 10.1039/C0MT00069H

This element is used in the shielding of nuclear reactors

Simple and rapid quantification of gadolinium in urine and blood plasma samples by means of total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF)
Lena Telgmann, Michael Holtkamp, Jens Künnemeyer, Carsten Gelhard, Marcel Hartmann, Annika Klose, Michael Sperling and Uwe Karst
Metallomics, 2011, 3, 1035-1040
DOI: 10.1039/C1MT00054C

Identification and characterization of gadolinium(III) complexes in biological tissue extracts
Chethaka L. Kahakachchi and Dennis A. Moore
Metallomics, 2010, 2, 490-497
DOI: 10.1039/B915806E

Incorporation of excess gadolinium into human bone from medical contrast agents
Thomas H. Darrah, Jennifer J. Prutsman-Pfeiffer, Robert J. Poreda, M. Ellen Campbell, Peter V. Hauschka and Robyn E. Hannigan
Metallomics, 2009, 1, 479-488
DOI: 10.1039/B905145G

Exploring the Activity of Metallo-drugs

Paola Quattroni, Development Editor — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:02:27 +0000

Measuring anticancer activity in vitro

New compounds based on silver and palladium have been recently developed and tested in vitro for anticancer and antibacterial activity.

Rosenani Haque and colleagues at the University Sains of Malaysia synthesised Ag(I)– and Pd(II)–N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes derived from imidazole-2-ylidenes and characterised their structures by X-ray diffraction and NMR.
All the compunds showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli while only one of the trans-Pd(II)–NHC complex displayed significant anticancer activity.

To know more about this study, please access the full article below. This paper will be free to read until June 17^th.

Sterically tuned Ag(I)- and Pd(II)-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of imidazol-2-ylidenes: synthesis, crystal structures, and in vitro antibacterial and anticancer studies
Rosenani A. Haque, Abbas Washeel Salman, Srinivasa Budagumpi, Amirul Al-Ashraf Abdullah and Amin M. S. Abdul Majid
Metallomics, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3MT00051F

Iron and Manganese in yeast mitochondria

Paola Quattroni, Development Editor — Wed, 15 May 2013 08:50:07 +0000

Liquid chromatography (LC)-Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) for metal distribution

Spectroscopic methods can be used to evaluate distribution of metals in the mitochondria of yeast cells.

Paul Lindahl and colleagues at the Texas A&M University, USA, investigated the function of the Mtm1p, a carrier protein found in the yeast Saccharomyces cervisiae. Deleting the Mtm1p gene, they evaluated the iron and manganese presence in the cells and discovered that iron and manganese accumulate in mitochondria and inactivate the enzyme Mn-superoxide dismutase. Metal concentrations in cells and mitochondria were efficiently measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

To know more about this research, please access the full article below. This paper will be free to read until May 24^th.

Insights into the iron-ome and manganese-ome of Δmtm1 Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondria Jinkyu
Park, Sean P. McCormick, Mrinmoy Chakrabarti and Paul A. Lindahl
Metallomics, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3MT00041A

Zinc-UK Summer Meeting, Aberdeen, 4-5th July 2013

May Copsey, Editor — Thu, 09 May 2013 13:06:00 +0000

The Zinc-UK meeting this summer will be held at the Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health at the University of Aberdeen on 4^th and 5^th July. A map of the venue can be found here.

As well as linking UK and non-UK zinc researchers, the meeting will have 2 themes:

Bioanalytical Methods in Zinc Biology
Biomedical Roles of Zinc

Zinc-UK strongly encourages students to participate and posters can be on any subject related to zinc. We are delighted to say that Metallomics will be offering a Poster Prize during the meeting.

To register for the meeting or to find out more, please visit the Zinc-UK meeting website.

Recent Zinc-related articles published in Metallomics:

The BaeSR regulon is involved in defense against zinc toxicity in E. coli
Da Wang and Carol A. Fierke
Metallomics, 2013, 5, 372-383
DOI: 10.1039/C3MT20217H

Repletion of zinc in zinc-deficient cells strongly up-regulates IL-1β-induced IL-2 production in T-cells
Doha Daaboul, Eva Rosenkranz, Peter Uciechowskia and Lothar Rink
Metallomics, 2012, 4, 1088-1097
DOI: 10.1039/C2MT20118F

Synaptic Zn2+ homeostasis and its significance
Atsushi Takeda, Masatoshi Nakamura, Hiroaki Fujii and Haruna Tamanoa
Metallomics, 2013, 5, 417-423
DOI: 10.1039/C3MT20269K

Zinc released from olfactory bulb glomeruli by patterned electrical stimulation of the olfactory nerve
Laura J. Blakemore, Elisa Tomat, Stephen J. Lippard and Paul Q. Trombley
Metallomics, 2013, 5, 208-213
DOI: 10.1039/C3MT20158A

Metallomics Issue 5 out now- Metallomics in Japan

Rebecca Brodie, Deputy Editor — Wed, 01 May 2013 16:50:25 +0000

Metallomics, 2013, 5, 461-468

This month’s latest issue of Metallomics is devoted to the exciting and fascinating work of this field coming from Japan. Originating from the 3rd Metallomics Research Forum in Japan held on August 30 and 31, 2012 in Showa Pharmaceutical University, Tokyo, this themed issue is Guest Edited by Yasumitsu Ogra and Seiichiro Himeno. You can read their Editorial by clicking on the link below. We hope you enjoy the issue.

Metallomics in Japan
Metallomics, 2013, 5, 415-416
DOI: 10.1039/C3MT90014B

Our wonderfully colourful outside front cover is from Seiji Komeda from Suzuka University of Medical Science, who with colleagues have been working with platinum complexes and looking at their antitumor properties.

Metallomics, 2013, 5, 424-428

Synthesis of antitumor azolato-bridged dinuclear platinum(II) complexes with in vivo antitumor efficacy and unique in vitro cytotoxicity profiles
Seiji Komeda, Hiroshi Takayama, Toshihiro Suzuki, Akira Odani, Takao Yamori and Masahiko Chikuma
Metallomics, 2013, 5, 461-468
DOI: 10.1039/C3MT00040K

On the inside front cover is work looking at DNA fragments by coupling capillary gel electrophoresis with ICP-MS. Shin-ichiro Fujii from AIST and co-workers were able to successfully separate and analyse fragments of double-stranded DNA.

A coupling system of capillary gel electrophoresis with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry for the determination of double stranded DNA fragments
Shin-ichiro Fujii, Kazumi Inagaki, Shin-ichi Miyashita, Keisuke Nagasawa, Koichi Chiba and Akiko Takatsu
Metallomics, 2013, 5, 424-428
DOI: 10.1039/C3MT00057E

Metallomics, 2013, 5, 445-452

On the back cover we showcase research into mammalian metabolism of organic selenium compounds by Naoki Furuta in the Department of Applied Chemistry at Chuo University, Tokyo, Japan and colleagues in the Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, Department of Internal Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

Organic selenium compounds in plants and yeasts are effective chemoprotectants in mammalian cancer. In their research they identified selenomethionine pathways by measuring endogenous and exogenous ⁸²Se levels and quantified selenium compounds and selenoproteins in mice liver, kidneys, plasma and urine.

Selenium metabolism and excretion in mice after injection of ⁸²Se-enriched selenomethionine
Yoshinari Suzuki, Yoshiteru Hashiura, Tatsuya Sakai, Takao Yamamoto, Takehisa Matsukawa, Atsuko Shinohara and Naoki Furuta
Metallomics, 2013, 5, 445-452
DOI: 10.1039/C3MT20267D

Along with these new covers, here is a couple of HOT papers free for you until May 20^th . To read the full articles, please access the links below:

Evaluation of quantitative probes for weaker Cu(I) binding sites completes a set of four capable of detecting Cu(I) affinities from nanomolar to attomolar
Zhiguang Xiao, Lisa Gottschlich, Renate van der Meulen, Saumya R. Udagedara and Anthony G. Wedd
Metallomics, 2013, 5, 501-513
DOI: 10.1039/C3MT00032J

Suppression of ZIP8 expression is a common feature of cadmium-resistant and manganese-resistant RBL-2H3 cells
Hitomi Fujishiro, Toshinao Ohashi, Miki Takuma and Seiichiro Himeno
Metallomics, 2013, 5, 437-444
DOI: 10.1039/C3MT00003F

Analysis of animal and plant selenometabolites in roots of a selenium accumulator, Brassica rapa var. peruviridis, by speciation
Yasumitsu Ogra, Ayane Katayama, Yurie Ogihara, Ayako Yawata and Yasumi Anan
Metallomics, 2013, 5, 429-436
DOI: 10.1039/C2MT20187A

Metal of The Month: Molybdenum

Paola Quattroni, Development Editor — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:38:17 +0000

Molybdenite is the main source of molybdenum

April’s metal of the month is molybdenum, a strong and silvery metal able to withstand extremely high temperatures without changing its shape, expanding or softening significantly.

Molybdenum does not occur as a free metal on Earth but is found in various oxidation states in minerals and is thought to be the 25^th most abundant element in the oceans. The main source of this element is the ore molybdenite and most of its production is as a by-product of copper production.

Molybdenum has the symbol Mo and atomic number 42

Currently, the main use of molybdenum is in manufacturing. Due to its relative strength and heat resistance it is also used by both the military and in space exploration. Most of the world production of molybdenum is converted into molybdenum disulfide, a lubricant additive used in aircrafts and space vehicles.

Molybdenum is extremely important for plants and animals and is an essential component of the enzyme nitrogenase which converts the atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia. Leguminous plants use the nitrogen-fixing enzyme nitrogenase and molybdenum is found in legumes, lentils and grains.

Molybdenum is found in legumes, lentils and grains

In humans, although toxic in other than small quantities, molybdenum is important for chemical reactions such as processing amino acids and converting purines in uric acid, an antioxidant important to protect cells from oxidative damage. The average human takes in about 0.3 grammes a day and stores about 5 milligrammes in the body.

Molybdenum deficiencies are rare, but some cases of molybdenum cofactor deficiency and deficiency of molybdenum due to total parenteral nutrition (intravenous feeding) have been reported. These types of deficiencies result in high levels of sulfite and urate and can cause neurological damage.

If you want to know more about molybdenum, take a look at the papers below and discover all about the latest molybdenum research. These will be free to read until May 27^th.

You can also take a look at the RSC Visual Element Periodic Table, and the Chemistry in its Element podcast.

And if you work in the area of molybdenum biology, we hope you will consider submitting your next paper to Metallomics.

Molybdenum disulfide is used as a lubricant for space vehicles

The molybdoproteome of Starkeya novella – insights into the diversity and functions of molybdenum containing proteins in response to changing growth conditions
Ulrike Kappler and Amanda S. Nouwens
Metallomics, 2013,5, 325-334
DOI: 10.1039/C2MT20230A

Effects of large-scale amino acid substitution in the polypeptide tether connecting the heme and molybdenum domains on catalysis in human sulfite oxidase
Kayunta Johnson-Winters, Anna R. Nordstrom, Amanda C. Davis, Gordon Tollin and John H. Enemark
Metallomics, 2010,2, 766-770
DOI: 10.1039/C0MT00021C

Molybdenum metabolism in the alga Chlamydomonas stands at the crossroad of those in Arabidopsis and humans
Ángel Llamas, Manuel Tejada-Jiménez, Emilio Fernández and Aurora Galvána
Metallomics, 2011,3, 578-590
DOI: 10.1039/C1MT00032B

Molybdenum can be found in the oceans

A proteome investigation of roxarsone degradation by Alkaliphilus oremlandii strain OhILAs
Peter Chovanec, John F. Stolz and Partha Basu
Metallomics, 2010,2, 133-139
DOI: 10.1039/B915479E

A survey of arsenic, manganese, boron, thorium, and other toxic metals in the groundwater of a West Bengal, India neighbourhood
Thomas Bacquart, Kelly Bradshaw, Seth Frisbie, Erika Mitchell, George Springston, Jeffrey Defelice, Hannah Dustinc and Bibudhendra Sarkar
Metallomics, 2012,4, 653-659
DOI: 10.1039/C2MT20020A

Low-molecular-mass metal complexes in the mouse brain
Sean P. McCormick, Mrinmoy Chakrabarti, Allison L. Cockrell, Jinkyu Park, Lora S. Lindahla and Paul A. Lindahl
Metallomics, 2013,5, 232-241
DOI: 10.1039/C3MT00009E

Using XAS and micro-SXRF to study anti-cancer metal compounds

Dipanwita Batabyal — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:34:42 +0000

Investigating anti-cancer metal compounds in vivo and in vitro with XAS and micro-SXRF

X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and micro-synchrotron based X-ray fluorescence (micro-SXRF) are valuable tools for the investigation of changes in the chemical environment of metal centres.

This tutorial review, written by Alfred Hummer and Annette Rompel from the University of Vienna, Austria, introduces the use of XAS and micro-SXRF techniques into the field of inorganic medicinal chemistry.

Currently, several review articles are available on the anti-tumoural activity of metal complexes as well as the application of XAS and micro-SXRF in biological systems. This new review provides a glimpse into the possibilities, applications and outcomes of these spectroscopic techniques in metal based cancer research. In particular, the authors describe the latest results of XAS and micro- SXRF in vitro and in vivo investigations and discuss the proposed modes of action of compounds based on platinum, ruthenium, gallium, gold and cobalt.

To read the full article, please access the link below. This paper will be free to read until May 14^th.

The use of X-ray absorption and synchrotron based micro-X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy to investigate anti-cancer metal compounds in vivo and in vitro
Alfred A. Hummer and Annette Rompel
Metallomics, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3MT20261E

Anti-diabetic effects of vanadium drugs

Paola Quattroni, Development Editor — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 08:55:50 +0000

Researchers at the Peking University in China explain how vanadium compounds can be used to prevent type II diabetes.

Vanadium compounds inhibit breakdown of lipids into free fatty acids

Lipolysis is an important cellular process which leads to breakdown of lipids via lysis of triglycerides into free fatty acids. Accumulation of free fatty acids in plasma caused by excessive lipolysis is considered one of the major risk factors to develop type II diabetes.

Vanadium-based compounds are known anti-diabetic drugs showing effects similar to insulin. However, their mechanism of action has not yet been explained and we do not know how they reduce the levels of fatty acids in blood.

In their study, Xiao-Gai Yang and colleagues used an adipocyte cell line and analysed the signalling pathways which lead to degradation of lipids. They found that vanadium compounds inhibit lipolysis by regulating the signalling pathway involved in the lipolytic process in adipocytes via the activation of specific protein kinases.

This work underlines the relevance to study the mechanisms of action of these new compounds before they can be used safely and efficiently. ‘Only with answers to such mechanistic questions we can optimise the therapeutic potential and minimise the adverse effects of vanadium compounds’, write the authors.

To know more about this research, please access the link below. This paper will be free to read until May 13^th.

Bis(acetylacetonato)-oxovanadium(IV), bis(maltolato)-oxovanadium(IV) and sodium metavanadate induce antilipolytic effects by regulating hormone-sensitive lipase and perilipin via activation of Akt
Jing-Cheng Liu,ab You Yu,b Gang Wang,b Kui Wangab and Xiao-Gai Yang*b
Metallomics, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3MT00001J