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Magnesium Ions

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The Neuronal Microenvironment

Part of the book series: Neuromethods ((NM,volume 9))

Abstract

Magnesium (Mg), the second most abundant soft tissue intracellular cation in vertebrates, is an essential nutrient for all organisms. Because of its small ionic radius and relatively large charge, Mg2+ functions within living cells primarily as a reversible chelator, forming relatively stable complexes, particularly with phosphoryl and carbonyl groups. In so doing, it activates or inhibits enzyme substrates involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids; is an essential cofactor in the synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids; facilitates the transfer of high-energy phosphate bonds; combines directly with certain enzymes and membrane-bound transport systems; forms stabilizing complexes with ribosomes, phospholipids, and components of the cytoskeleton; and promotes cellular cohesion. (see Aikawa, 1971; Guenther, 1981; Wacker, 1980). Although most of its biochemical functions have been worked out in vitro or in vivo in isolated enzyme and other biologic systems and in cells from nonnervous tissues, there is every reason to believe Mg2+ functions similarly in the cells in the nervous system. For example, CNS hexokinase, a critical enzme in aerobic metabolism of carbohydrates, probably requires Mg2+ for allosteric activation when the concentration of ATP falls below that of free Mg2+ in the cytosol (Lustyil, and Nagy, 1985).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, State Untversity of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York

    Jerry G. Chutkow

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  1. Jerry G. Chutkow
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, Canada

    Alan A. Boulton  & Wolfgang Walz  & 

  2. University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada

    Glen B. Baker

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Chutkow, J.G. (1988). Magnesium Ions. In: Boulton, A.A., Baker, G.B., Walz, W. (eds) The Neuronal Microenvironment. Neuromethods, vol 9. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/0-89603-115-2:691

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/0-89603-115-2:691

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-89603-115-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-614-0

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