title: The role of Mg2+ in immune cells.
abstract: The physiological and clinical relevance of Mg(2+) has evolved over the last decades. The molecular identification of multiple Mg(2+) transporters (Acdp2, MagT1, Mrs2, Paracellin-1, SLC41A1, SLC41A2, TRPM6 and TRPM7) and their biophysical characterization in recent years has improved our understanding of Mg(2+) homeostasis regulation and has provided a basis for investigating the role of Mg(2+) in the immune system. Deletions and mutations of Mg(2+) transporters produce severe phenotypes with more systemic symptoms than those seen with Ca(2+) channel deletions, which tend to be more specific and less profound. Deficiency of the Mg(2+) permeable ion channels TRPM6 or TRPM7 in mice is lethal at embryonic day 12.5 or at day 6.5, respectively, and, even more surprisingly, chicken DT40 B cells lacking TRPM7 die after 24-48 h. Recent progress made in Mg(2+) research has helped to define underlying mechanisms of two hereditary diseases, human Hypomagnesemia (TRPM6 deletion) and X-chromosomal immunodeficiency (MagT1 deletion), and has revealed a potential new role for Mg(2+) as a second messenger. Future elucidation of human Mg(2+) transporters (Mrs2, SLC41A1, SLC41A2, TRPM7) expressed in immunocytes, beyond MagT1 and TRPM6, will widen our knowledge about the potential role of Mg(2+) in the activation of the immune response.
authors.affiliation: Integrated Department of Immunology, University of Colorado School of Medicine and National Jewish Health, Denver, CO 80206, USA.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brandao
authors.forename: Francina
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Deason-Towne
authors.forename: Anne-Laure
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Perraud
authors.forename: Carsten
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schmitz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D050053:TRPM Cation Channels / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D027682:Cation Transport Proteins; C509698:MagT1 protein, human; D050053:TRPM Cation Channels; D008274:Magnesium