Relevance of animal models for understanding mammalian copper homeostasis.
As a trace element, copper has a crucial role in mammalian metabolism, but it can be toxic in excess. The importance of a balanced copper homeostasis is illustrated by several copper-associated disorders in man, such as Menkes and Wilson disease, and in a wide variety of animal models (eg, mice, dogs, and sheep). Proteins involved in controlling copper metabolism have been well studied in yeast and in vitro. Recently, naturally occurring mutants and transgenic mouse models have been used to study the physiologic role of copper transporters in copper homeostasis. We discuss the most common mammalian animal models used to study copper-related diseases, evaluate what these model systems have recently shown about copper metabolism, and discuss the importance of these models for identifying specific and sensitive biomarkers associated with copper status in the near future.
Vonk
Willianne I M
WI
Department of Metabolic and Endocrine Disease, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.
Wijmenga
Cisca
C
van de Sluis
Bart
B
D000818:Animals; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D003300:Copper / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D000079923:Copper Transporter 1; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004285:Dogs; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D006527:Hepatolenticular Degeneration / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D023421:Models, Animal
D027682:Cation Transport Proteins; D000079923:Copper Transporter 1; C490079:SLC31A1 protein, human; D003300:Copper