Definition
Biological copper transport describes the acquisition and delivery of Cu(I) to cellular destinations, as well as the removal of excess Cu(I). Eukaryotic cells transport Cu(I) via permeases, metallochaperones, Cu(I)-specific pumps, and accessory factors responsible for holoprotein maturation. Key cellular challenges include the prevention of deleterious adventitious reactions and the facile (i.e., rapid) movement of Cu(I) in transit. Inborn errors of certain genes in these pathways are linked to Wilson’s disease, Menkes disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), and cytochrome c oxidase deficiency.
A Copper Requirement
Copper has been refined and processed by humans since the dawn of civilization but its role in living processes was only appreciated in the twentieth century. The vital processes of respiration, iron uptake, neurotransmitter synthesis, and free radical detoxification all include enzymes...
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Acknowledgments
DLH gratefully acknowledges support from the National Science Foundation (CAREER 0645518) and AVHH acknowledges Western Michigan University Graduate Student Research Fund.
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Huffman, D.L., Hinz, A.V.H. (2013). Biological Copper Transport. In: Kretsinger, R.H., Uversky, V.N., Permyakov, E.A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Metalloproteins. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-1533-6_101
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-1533-6_101
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