Relationship between magnesium ions (Mg²⁺), amyloid aggregation, and prion-like mechanisms

Studies show a complex relationship where Mg²⁺ can modulate amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation in various ways.

Some studies report Mg²⁺ promoting the formation of shorter, fragmented amyloid proteins, while others suggest it decreases β-sheet content, leading to aggregation-resistant states.

High intracellular Mg²⁺ can promote α-secretase-mediated cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP), leading to clearance, while low levels increase Aβ secretion.

Mg²⁺ can induce tau aggregation in vitro, but in AD models, it can also reduce tau hyperphosphorylation by increasing GSK-3β phosphorylation.

Mg²⁺ may mediate interactions between intrinsically disordered nascent protein chains and ribosomes, potentially influencing folding and aggregation in the early stages of protein life.

Mg²⁺ can also stabilize the secondary structure of some proteins and inhibit their aggregation, as shown in studies on bovine serum albumin.

The strong binding affinity of noble metals for the thiol moiety of cysteine has been exploited in materials synthesis from amyloid systems.

Magnesium ions (Mg²⁺) are crucial for RNA stability and folding, primarily by neutralizing the negative charges on the phosphate backbone of RNA, which allows for the formation of tertiary structures.

Mg²⁺ binding stabilizes RNA by reducing electrostatic repulsion between phosphate groups, facilitating the compaction of RNA molecules and stabilizing their folded conformations.

..

Magnesium (Mg2+) plays a role in regulating the ROMK channel (renal outer medullary potassium channel), which is crucial for potassium (K+) homeostasis in the kidneys. Specifically, intracellular magnesium inhibits ROMK channels, preventing excessive potassium from leaving the cells and being excreted in the urine.

Magnesium deficiency can make hypokalemia resistant to treatment with potassium supplements alone. This is because the underlying magnesium deficiency needs to be addressed for potassium levels to normalize.

..

Metabolic Alkalosis Cycle
Hypokalemia
Low Blood Potassium

Initial Alkalosis:

Metabolic alkalosis occurs when there's an excess of bicarbonate in the blood, often due to loss of hydrogen ions through vomiting, increased bicarbonate production, hypokalemia or magnesium depletion.

Kidney Compensation:

The kidneys try to compensate by increasing hydrogen ion excretion and bicarbonate reabsorption. This can lead to potassium loss from the body as well.

Hypokalemia:

This loss of potassium into the urine, combined with a shift of potassium from the extracellular to intracellular space, results in hypokalemia, triggering alkalosis.

Shifting Hydrogen Ions:

Low potassium encourages hydrogen ions to move into cells, further increasing blood pH, making it more alkaline.

Stimulating Renal Hydrogen Secretion:

The kidneys respond to hypokalemia by increasing the activity of a transporter that exchanges potassium for hydrogen ions in the collecting duct. This results in more hydrogen ions being excreted into the urine and more bicarbonate being reabsorbed, perpetuating the alkalosis.

Promoting Ammonia Production:

Hypokalemia stimulates the kidneys to produce more ammonia (NH3), which acts as a buffer and can also contribute to the alkalosis.

..

Alkalosis and Oxygen Transport

Metabolic alkalosis can impair the delivery of oxygen to the body's tissues.

This happens because alkalosis shifts the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve to the left, increasing hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen and making it harder for oxygen to be released to the tissues. This can lead to tissue hypoxia (low oxygen levels in the tissues).

Oxygen radicals (reactive oxygen species - ROS) are naturally produced in the body during normal metabolic processes.

However, excessive production of ROS can lead to oxidative stress and cellular damage.

Iron plays a role in the generation of hydroxyl radicals, a potent ROS.

High levels of oxygen radicals can induce cellular calcium loading, inhibit crucial pumps like the sodium-potassium ATPase, and ultimately lead to cellular injury.

..

Lithium biochemistry is complex, but a core mechanism involves its interference with magnesium-dependent enzymes, particularly those involved in phosphate transfer.

Their chemical similarities, particularly their similar ionic sizes, lead to interactions where lithium can sometimes interfere with magnesium's biological roles.

Taurine might slow down how quickly lithium is flushed out of the body. This could increase levels of lithium that stay in the body.

..

Potassium and magnesium, particularly magnesium, are linked to the regulation of both GABA and melatonin, suggesting a potential role in influencing their levels and function.

Potassium levels are essential for maintaining healthy magnesium levels and vice versa, as they work together in many bodily functions.

..

A porphyrin ring is a fundamental organic compound, essentially a heterocyclic macrocyclic structure comprised of four modified pyrrole subunits (Nitrogen).
These rings can bind to metal ions, forming metalloporphyrins.

The pH of the blood significantly influences hemoglobin's oxygen-binding affinity. This relationship is known as the Bohr effect. In acidic environments (lower pH), hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen decreases, promoting oxygen release to the tissues. Conversely, in alkaline environments (higher pH), hemoglobin binds oxygen more readily.

Low magnesium levels have been linked to increased production of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide, potentially contributing to the formation of peroxynitrite and nitrotyrosine.

Potassium has been shown to affect the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), an enzyme that catalyzes the dismutation of superoxide.
Changes in potassium levels may impact the balance between superoxide and nitric oxide, thus indirectly influencing peroxynitrite formation.