Marine bacterium sheds light on control of toxic metals

(University of East Anglia) An ocean-dwelling bacterium has provided fresh insights into how cells protect themselves from the toxic effects of metal ions such as iron and copper.Although essential to life, metal ions can also generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) -- highly reactive molecules that damage cells as they try to form bonds with other molecules. In humans, reactive oxygen species are linked to ageing and also to diseases such as cancers.
Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news