Micronutrients include the transition metal ions zinc, copper, and iron. These metals are essential for life as they serve as cofactors for many different proteins. On the other hand, they can also be toxic to cell growth when in excess. As a consequence, all organisms require mechanisms to tightly regulate the levels of these metal ions. In eukaryotes, one of the primary ways in which metal levels are regulated is through changes in expression of genes required for metal uptake, compartmentalization, storage, and export. By tightly regulating the expression of these genes each organism is able to balance metal levels despite fluctuations in the diet or extracellular environment.……
