Istituto di Patologia Generale e Centro di Ricerche Oncologiche Giovanni XXIII, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia A. Gemelli, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
Magnes Res. 2011 Sep;24(3):S86-91. doi: 10.1684/mrh.2011.0288.
Over recent years, the study of magnesium homeostasis has greatly benefited from molecular genetic approaches that identified several new classes of magnesium transporters. These proteins demonstrate a diversity of structural properties and biophysical functions that often translate into a wide range of tissue-specific cellular activities. Among these novel channels, MagT1 has gained most of the attention, given its high selectivity for Mg(2+) and its possible involvement in cellular functions reaching far beyond magnesium homeostasis, as the latest findings seem to imply. Indeed, a signaling role for MagT1 has been proven in T lymphocytes, where Mg(2+) functions as a second messenger, coupling TCR activation to intracellular effectors. We herein review these intriguing results and discuss their potential implications for magnesium research, and ultimately for therapeutic opportunities. As our knowledge of magnesium advances, it becomes increasingly clear that a deeper understanding of magnesium homeostasis is the key for a deeper insight into relevant pathophysiological conditions, and their treatment.
近年来，镁离子稳态的研究得益于分子遗传学方法的发展，这些方法鉴定了几种新型的镁离子转运蛋白。这些蛋白表现出结构特性和生物物理功能的多样性，通常转化为广泛的组织特异性细胞活动。在这些新型通道中，MagT1 受到了最多的关注，因为它对 Mg(2+)具有高选择性，并且可能涉及到超越镁离子稳态的细胞功能，这是最新的发现所暗示的。事实上，MagT1 在 T 淋巴细胞中的信号作用已经得到证实，在 T 淋巴细胞中，Mg(2+)作为第二信使，将 TCR 激活与细胞内效应器偶联。本文综述了这些有趣的结果，并讨论了它们对镁离子研究的潜在意义，最终对治疗机会的意义。随着我们对镁的认识不断深入，越来越明显的是，对镁离子稳态的更深入了解是深入了解相关病理生理状况及其治疗方法的关键。
