Trace elements in human physiology and pathology. Copper.

摘要: Copper is a trace element, important for the function of many cellular enzymes. ions can adopt distinct redox states oxidized Cu(II) or reduced (I), allowing metal to play pivotal role in cell physiology as catalytic cofactor chemistry enzymes, mitochondrial respiration, iron absorption, free radical scavenging and elastin cross-linking. If present excess, copper cause damage components delicate balance between uptake efflux determines amount copper. In biological systems, homeostasis has been characterized at molecular level. It coordinated by several proteins such glutathione, metallothionein, Cu-transporting P-type ATPases, Menkes Wilson cytoplasmic transport called chaperones ensure that it delivered specific subcellular compartments thereby copper-requiring proteins.