Heavy Metals and Human Health: Possible Exposure Pathways and the Competition for Protein Binding Sites Original paper
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Read MoreI am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.
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Metals
Metals
Heavy metals play a significant and multifaceted role in the pathogenicity of microbial species.
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Divine Aleru
Read More
Researched by:
-
Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Read More
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Divine Aleru
What was studied?
The review article explores the physiological and biochemical effects of toxic heavy metals, specifically their interactions with proteins and enzymes in the human body. It covers the sources, routes of exposure, and the toxicity of metals such as arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead, and nickel. The article focuses on how these metals disrupt protein functions and enzyme activities, leading to various health disorders.
Who was studied?
The review does not focus on a particular group of individuals, but instead synthesizes findings from numerous studies on the effects of heavy metal exposure. It includes data from research on populations exposed to these metals through environmental contamination, as well as workers in industries dealing with heavy metals and individuals consuming contaminated food or water.
Most important findings
The review underscores several key findings: toxic heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, and nickel can mimic essential metal ions in proteins and enzymes, disrupting normal biological functions. This leads to a range of health issues such as neurological, cardiovascular, renal, and reproductive disorders. Additionally, cadmium and lead’s ability to replace calcium, magnesium, and zinc disrupts crucial cellular processes, leading to long-term health problems such as cancer, organ damage, and immune dysfunction. Another significant finding is the competition these metals face for protein-binding sites, which causes disturbances in enzyme activity and protein folding. The review also highlights that detoxification mechanisms, such as metallothioneins and phytochelatins, play a critical role in mitigating these toxic effects.
Key implications
This review emphasizes the substantial threat posed by heavy metals to human health, particularly in light of rising environmental contamination due to industrial activities. Understanding the mechanisms by which these metals interfere with cellular functions is crucial for developing effective treatments and prevention strategies. It also underscores the importance of bioremediation and phytoremediation, which are environmentally sustainable methods for reducing metal bioavailability and mitigating their harmful effects on human populations.
Lead (Pb)
Lead exposure has a profound effect on the microbiome, disrupting microbial diversity, immune responses, and contributing to the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Understanding how Pb interacts with microbial communities and impacts host-pathogen dynamics is essential for clinicians to mitigate long-term health risks and improve treatment strategies.
Nickel
Bacteria regulate transition metal levels through complex mechanisms to ensure survival and adaptability, influencing both their physiology and the development of antimicrobial strategies.