Fig. 2: Schematic diagram of cellular copper metabolism. | Cell Death Discovery

Fig. 2: Schematic diagram of cellular copper metabolism.

From: Copper homeostasis and cuproptosis in atherosclerosis: metabolism, mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies

Fig. 2

The maintenance of intracellular copper homeostasis is a complex and tightly regulated process. Copper ions are primarily taken up by cells via SLC31A1, whereas their export is facilitated by ATP7A/B. Once inside the cell, copper is transported to interact with cytoplasmic copper chaperones, including COX17, CCS, and ATOX1. These chaperones transport copper to specific cellular compartments, such as the mitochondria, TGN, and nucleus. Figure created with BioRender. SLC31A1 solute carrier family 31 member 1, ATP7A and ATP7B ATPase copper transporter 7A and 7B, ATOX1 antioxidant 1 copper chaperone, CCS copper chaperone for superoxide dismutase, COX17 cytochrome c oxidase copper chaperone 17, COX11 cytochrome c oxidase copper chaperone 11, COX cytochrome c oxidase, ROS reactive oxygen species, SCO1 synthesis of cytochrome c oxidase 1, SOD1 superoxide dismutase 1, TGN trans-Golgi network, GSH glutathione, MT1/2 metallothionein 1/2, and STEAP six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate.

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