Metal-minded : use, control and metallic interplay of copper in the brain

Alison C. Badrick, Christopher E. Jones

Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference PaperChapter

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Copper is the third most abundant transition metal in biological systems, and is a cofactor for a variety of proteins and enzymes. The ability of copper to cycle between oxidation states under physiological conditions is one reason for its versatility throughout many aspects of biology. The way in which cells ensure copper reaches its targets, yet limit redox activity, has become an area of widespread study over the past decade or so. It is now established that a variety of mechanisms are in place to successfully use copper whilst preventing uncontrolled, damaging redox activity. The study of metals in the central nervous system, encompassing the brain and spinal cord and associated nerves, is a burgeoning area of study, termed ‘metalloneurochemistry’, and the specialized nature of the brain suggests it is likely to have unique uses and homeostatic mechanisms. Despite its known involvement in diseases such as Menkes and Prion disorders, there is still much to be learnt about the physiological function of copper and the homeostatic mechanisms that control it under normal conditions in the brain. In this chapter we will outline recent work that investigates how copper is used in the brain, the control of metal concentrations and the interplay between copper and other metal ions, notably iron.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHorizons in Neuroscience Research. Volume 2
EditorsAndres Costa, Eugenio Villalba
Place of PublicationU.S.
PublisherNova Science Publishers
Pages1-23
Number of pages23
ISBN (Print)9781608768769
Publication statusPublished - 2010

Keywords

  • brain
  • copper
  • oxidation-reduction reaction
  • transition metals

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