Zinc, Copper, and Iron Homeostasis in Human Health, Agriculture, and Cancer
This community investigates the biological roles, deficiencies, and toxicities of essential trace metals—primarily zinc, copper, and iron—in human physiology, animal husbandry, and crop production. The work spans clinical assessment of metal status, the development of dietary interventions, and the molecular mechanisms by which these metals regulate cell death and disease.
Recurring themes include the measurement of serum levels and the assessment of deficiency in human patients and broiler chickens. A significant portion of the literature addresses the interplay between zinc and copper homeostasis, including the study of zinc transporters and oxidative stress. In agricultural contexts, the community focuses on the biofortification of staple crops like rice and wheat to improve nutritional quality and yield. Recent research also examines the role of copper in a specific form of cell death known as cuproptosis, particularly in the context of cancer biology and therapeutic targeting.
The largest share of the community's output is found in zinc research, accounting for 5.2% of all tracked zinc studies, with 15,116 papers in this group. Copper research follows, representing 3.1% of that element's total output with 9,933 papers, while iron research contributes 1.2% of its total with 4,975 papers.
The community comprises 32,460 papers, publishing most frequently in Biological Trace Element Research, The Journal of Nutrition, and Poultry Science.
Recent work continues to explore the therapeutic potential of copper-induced cell death in cancer and inflammatory diseases, alongside ongoing studies into the bioavailability of zinc complexes and the genetic variability of iron nutrition in rice.