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Updated: Oct 2, 2025

Structure and Coordination Determination of Peptide-metal Complexes Using 1D and 2D 1H NMR
Published on: December 16, 2013
Dynamical interplay between the human high-affinity copper transporter hCtr1 and its cognate metal ion
Gulshan Walke1, Jana Aupič2, Hadeel Kashoua1
1Department of Chemistry and the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials (BINA), Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel.
Human copper transporter Ctr1 (hCtr1) binds multiple copper ions (Cu(I)), triggering structural changes. This reveals how hCtr1 regulates cellular copper uptake and metabolism.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Abnormal cellular copper levels are linked to genetic diseases, cancer, and neurodegeneration.
- Ctr1 is a high-affinity copper transporter crucial for cellular copper uptake and Cu(I) metabolism in eukaryotes.
- The precise molecular mechanism of copper transport via Ctr1 remains largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the Cu(I) binding mechanism of full-length human Ctr1 (hCtr1).
- To elucidate how metal binding influences hCtr1 conformational dynamics.
- To understand the role of hCtr1 in regulating cellular copper homeostasis.
Main Methods:
- Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy.
- UV-visible spectroscopy.
- All-atom molecular dynamics simulations.
Main Results:
- Each hCtr1 monomer binds up to five Cu(I) ions.
- Progressive Cu(I) binding induces significant structural rearrangements in the hCtr1 C-terminal region.
- Cu(I)-induced conformational changes suggest a dual role for the C-terminus in gating and ion delivery.
Conclusions:
- The study elucidates the mechanism of Cu(I) uptake and transport by hCtr1.
- Findings reveal the C-terminal region's role in regulating copper ion flow.
- Provides a foundation for developing therapeutics targeting dysregulated copper metabolism.
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