Article

Molecular mechanisms of copper homeostasis.

Centro de Biologia Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco 28049, Madrid, Spain.
Frontiers in Bioscience (impact factor: 3.52). 02/2009; 14:4878-903. pp.4878-903
Source: PubMed

ABSTRACT The transition metal copper (Cu) is an essential trace element for all biota. Its redox properties bestow Cu with capabilities that are simultaneously essential and potentially damaging to the cell. Free Cu is virtually absent in the cell. The descriptions of the structural and functional organization of the metallothioneins, Cu-chaperones and P-type ATPases as well as of the mechanisms that regulate their distribution and functioning in the cell have enormously advanced our understanding of the Cu homeostasis and metabolism in the last decade. Cu is stored by metallothioneins and distributed by specialized chaperones to specific cell targets that make use of its redox properties. Transfer of Cu to newly synthesized cuproenzymes and Cu disposal is performed by the individual or concerted actions of the P-type ATPases ATP7A and ATP7B expressed in tissues. In mammalians liver is the major captor, distributor and excreter of Cu. Mutations in the P-type ATPases that interfere with their functioning and traffic are cause of the life-threatening Wilson (ATP7B) and Menkes (ATP7A) diseases.

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Keywords

concerted actions
 
Cu disposal
 
descriptions
 
essential
 
essential trace element
 
excreter
 
functional organization
 
last decade
 
life-threatening Wilson
 
major captor
 
make use
 
mammalians liver
 
P-type ATPases
 
P-type ATPases ATP7A
 
redox properties
 
redox properties bestow Cu
 
specialized chaperones
 
specific cell targets
 
synthesized cuproenzymes
 
transition metal copper
 

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