title: Copper-dependent oxidative stress and neurodegeneration.
abstract: Copper is an essential trace element, but its redox reactivity leads to risks of damage to cell and tissues. These are well exemplified by several forms of neurodegenerative diseases, either arising as inherited disorders of copper metabolism, such as Menkes' and Wilson's disease, or as conformational diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and prion diseases. This review will cover some aspects of the involvement of copper-mediated oxidative stress in degenerative processes in the central nervous system, with special focus on the familial form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS). Furthermore, a possible role of copper reactivity in inducing critical steps in the apoptotic pathways leading to neurodegeneration is envisaged.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy. Rotilio@bio.uniroma2.it
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rotilio
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Carrì
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Ciriolo
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D003300:Copper / Q000378:metabolism*; D006527:Hepatolenticular Degeneration / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007706:Menkes Kinky Hair Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D017096:Prion Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D003300:Copper; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase