What is the role of magnesium in cell metabolism?

Magnesium is essential for many cellular pathways. First, magnesium is a crucial activator of ATP, and acts as a cofactor for many essential enzymes that require ATP to function. These enzymes include ATPases that are involved in ion transport, as well as protein kinases, which function to activate other enzymes by phosphorylation.

Magnesium also promotes the activity of numerous enzymes such as mitochondrial dehydrogenases, one of which is 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (OGDH), a rate-limiting enzyme for the citric acid cycle. It is also important for the activity of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) and pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDH).

In addition, magnesium is also important for regulating ion channels, especially voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channels and K⁺ channels.