Biochemical Etiology
Copper functions as a prosthetic group, which permits electron transfers in key enzymatic pathways like the electron transport chain. Copper is integrated in the enzymes cytochrome c oxidase, which is involved in cellular respiration and oxidative phosphorylation, Cu/Zn dismutase, which is involved in antioxidant defense, and many more listed in the table below.
| Group | Enzyme | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Oxidases | Flavin-containing amine oxidase | Metabolism of neurotransmitters: noradrenaline, dopamine, serotonin and some dietary amines |
| Protein-lysine-6-oxidase (lysyl oxidase) | Connective tissue synthesis- cross-linking of collagen and elastin | |
| Copper-containing amine oxidase | Metabolism of amines- histamines, putrescine, cadaverine | |
| Cytochrome c oxidase | Oxidative phosphorylation, electron transport in the mitochondrial membrane | |
| Superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn dismutase) | Antioxidant and free radical scavenger, oxidizes dangerous superoxides to safer hydrogen peroxide | |
| Ferroxidase I (ceruloplasmin) | Iron transport-oxidation of Fe2+ to Fe 3+, copper storage and transport, antioxidant and free radical neutralizer | |
| Hephaestin (ferroxidase) | Iron transport and oxidation of Fe2+ to Fe3+ in intestinal cells to enable iron uptake | |
| Monooxygenases | Dopamine beta-monooxygenase | Conversion of dopamine to norepinephrine |
| Peptidylglycine monooxygenase | Peptide hormone maturation- amidation of alpha-terminal carboxylic acid group of glycine | |
| Monophenol monooxygenase (Tyrosinase) | Melanin synthesis | |
| Methylation Cycle | Methionine synthase | Transfer of methyl group from methyltetrahydrofolate to homocysteine to generate methionine for the methylation cycle and tetrahydrofolate for purine synthesis |
| Adenosylhomocysteinase (S-Adenosyl-L-homocysteine) | Regeneration of homocysteine from adenosylhomocyesteine (S-Adenosyl-L-homocysteine) in the methylation cycle |
Read more about this topic: Copper Deficiency