COPPER UPTAKE AND TRANSPORT ACROSS PHYSIOLOGICAL BARRIERS

Author(s): S Choudhary* and N Sharma

Abstract: Copper is an essential multi-functional, micro-nutrient which plays a crucial role in human physiology. This element is found in various proteins and enzymes having significant function in metabolism, development and maintenance of different organs and systems. Diverse organisms, from bacteria to mammals have developed elegant mechanisms of copper uptake, transport and storage. Balance of this micronutrient is maintained by complex homeostatic processes leading to constant and sufficient supply of it and avoids any excess accumulation. Regulation of cellular copper (Cu) homeostasis involves CTR1protein, responsible for Cu uptake across the plasma membrane, the Cu chaperones and Cu transporting ATPase’s (Cu-ATPase’s), i.e., ATP7A and ATP7B.This manuscript presents a review on the copper transport across the human physiological barriers, delineating its role in metabolism and the multiple steps of metal assimilation. Our attention is focused to copper interaction and trafficking in the gut and to other systems such as blood, brain and placenta.

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