title: [Copper transport and metabolism].
abstract: In this review, copper metabolism and transport in mammalian tissues are introduced and discussed. Firstly, the copper required amounts and LD50 levels are shown to explain the difficult balances of copper in the cells between necessity and toxicity. Furthermore, on the basis of literatures published, relationship between copper-binding metallothioneins and mechanisms for the absorption and excretion of copper or hereditary copper metabolic disorders metabolism abnormality symptom are explained. Finally it has been indicated that apoptosis induced by heavy metals, especially copper was initiated by production of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress in the cells. To understand precise mechanism for copper homeostasis in mammalian cells, further investigation will be needed to clarify the copper behaviors in normal and abnormal situations.
authors.forename: Masaaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kurasaki
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saito
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001692:Biological Transport; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D003300:Copper / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D027682:Cation Transport Proteins; D003300:Copper; D008668:Metallothionein