1
|
Teschke R, Eickhoff A. Wilson Disease: Copper-Mediated Cuproptosis, Iron-Related Ferroptosis, and Clinical Highlights, with Comprehensive and Critical Analysis Update. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4753. [PMID: 38731973 PMCID: PMC11084815 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Wilson disease is a genetic disorder of the liver characterized by excess accumulation of copper, which is found ubiquitously on earth and normally enters the human body in small amounts via the food chain. Many interesting disease details were published on the mechanistic steps, such as the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cuproptosis causing a copper dependent cell death. In the liver of patients with Wilson disease, also, increased iron deposits were found that may lead to iron-related ferroptosis responsible for phospholipid peroxidation within membranes of subcellular organelles. All topics are covered in this review article, in addition to the diagnostic and therapeutic issues of Wilson disease. Excess Cu2+ primarily leads to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as evidenced by early experimental studies exemplified with the detection of hydroxyl radical formation using the electron spin resonance (ESR) spin-trapping method. The generation of ROS products follows the principles of the Haber-Weiss reaction and the subsequent Fenton reaction leading to copper-related cuproptosis, and is thereby closely connected with ROS. Copper accumulation in the liver is due to impaired biliary excretion of copper caused by the inheritable malfunctioning or missing ATP7B protein. As a result, disturbed cellular homeostasis of copper prevails within the liver. Released from the liver cells due to limited storage capacity, the toxic copper enters the circulation and arrives at other organs, causing local accumulation and cell injury. This explains why copper injures not only the liver, but also the brain, kidneys, eyes, heart, muscles, and bones, explaining the multifaceted clinical features of Wilson disease. Among these are depression, psychosis, dysarthria, ataxia, writing problems, dysphagia, renal tubular dysfunction, Kayser-Fleischer corneal rings, cardiomyopathy, cardiac arrhythmias, rhabdomyolysis, osteoporosis, osteomalacia, arthritis, and arthralgia. In addition, Coombs-negative hemolytic anemia is a key feature of Wilson disease with undetectable serum haptoglobin. The modified Leipzig Scoring System helps diagnose Wilson disease. Patients with Wilson disease are well-treated first-line with copper chelators like D-penicillamine that facilitate the removal of circulating copper bound to albumin and increase in urinary copper excretion. Early chelation therapy improves prognosis. Liver transplantation is an option viewed as ultima ratio in end-stage liver disease with untreatable complications or acute liver failure. Liver transplantation finally may thus be a life-saving approach and curative treatment of the disease by replacing the hepatic gene mutation. In conclusion, Wilson disease is a multifaceted genetic disease representing a molecular and clinical challenge.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rolf Teschke
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Klinikum Hanau, D-63450 Hanau, Germany;
- Academic Teaching Hospital of the Medical Faculty, Goethe University Frankfurt, D-60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Axel Eickhoff
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Klinikum Hanau, D-63450 Hanau, Germany;
- Academic Teaching Hospital of the Medical Faculty, Goethe University Frankfurt, D-60590 Frankfurt, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Herman S, Lipiński P, Starzyński R, Bednarz A, Grzmil P, Lenartowicz M. Molecular Mechanisms of Cellular Copper Homeostasis in Mammals. Folia Biol (Praha) 2022. [DOI: 10.3409/fb_70-4.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Copper (Cu) is a trace element necessary for the growth and development of all living organisms, and is the third most abundant trace metal in the body after iron and zinc. Copper is essential for maintaining the life processes in all living cells, because several copper-dependent enzymes
play an important role in key physiological processes like cellular respiration, oxygen radical scavenging, the transport of iron and neurotransmitter synthesis. Maintaining copper homeostasis implies maintaining the constancy of copper levels in the cells and fluids throughout the body, in
order to support the enzymes and other factors that underlie normal life processes. Therefore, living organisms have developed complex mechanisms for maintaining their physiological copper level, because an excess copper level can be toxic for the cells. In the cell, copper homeostasis is
controlled by a network of copper-binding proteins and transporters. Furthermore, copper uptake is mediated by the membrane transporter CTR1 and CTR2 proteins. In the cytoplasm, it is bound to a unique group of metallochaperones (ATOX1, CCS COX17) and transported to different cell compartments,
where it is linked to the recipient proteins. The Cu-transporting ATPases (ATP7A and ATP7B) are responsible for transferring copper into the Golgi apparatus, where the copper is added to the active sites of enzymes, and it is also directed onto the path of excess cellular copper removal to
prevent the occurrence of toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Herman
- Laboratory of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Paweł Lipiński
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Magdalenka, Jastrzêbiec, Poland
| | - Rafał Starzyński
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Magdalenka, Jastrzêbiec, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Bednarz
- Laboratory of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Paweł Grzmil
- Laboratory of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Lenartowicz
- Laboratory of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Herman S, Lipiński P, Ogórek M, Starzyński R, Grzmil P, Bednarz A, Lenartowicz M. Molecular Regulation of Copper Homeostasis in the Male Gonad during the Process of Spermatogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21239053. [PMID: 33260507 PMCID: PMC7730223 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Owing to its redox properties, copper is a cofactor of enzymes that catalyze reactions in fundamental metabolic processes. However, copper-oxygen interaction, which is a source of toxic oxygen radicals generated by the Fenton reaction, makes copper a doubled-edged-sword in an oxygen environment. Among the microelements influencing male fertility, copper plays a special role because both copper deficiency and overload in the gonads worsen spermatozoa quality and disturb reproductive function in mammals. Male gametes are produced during spermatogenesis, a multi-step process that consumes large amounts of oxygen. Germ cells containing a high amount of unsaturated fatty acids in their membranes are particularly vulnerable to excess copper-mediated oxidative stress. In addition, an appropriate copper level is necessary to initiate meiosis in premeiotic germ cells. The balance between essential and toxic copper concentrations in germ cells at different stages of spermatogenesis and in Sertoli cells that support their development is handled by a network of copper importers, chaperones, recipient proteins, and exporters. Here, we describe coordinated regulation/functioning of copper-binding proteins expressed in germ and Sertoli cells with special emphasis on copper transporters, copper transporting ATPases, and SOD1, a copper-dependent antioxidant enzyme. These and other proteins assure copper bioavailability in germ cells and protection against copper toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Herman
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; (S.H.); (M.O.); (P.G.); (A.B.)
| | - Paweł Lipiński
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 05-552 Magdalenka, Jastrzębiec, Poland; (P.L.); (R.S.)
| | - Mateusz Ogórek
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; (S.H.); (M.O.); (P.G.); (A.B.)
| | - Rafał Starzyński
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 05-552 Magdalenka, Jastrzębiec, Poland; (P.L.); (R.S.)
| | - Paweł Grzmil
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; (S.H.); (M.O.); (P.G.); (A.B.)
| | - Aleksandra Bednarz
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; (S.H.); (M.O.); (P.G.); (A.B.)
| | - Małgorzata Lenartowicz
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; (S.H.); (M.O.); (P.G.); (A.B.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ogórek M, Herman S, Pierzchała O, Bednarz A, Rajfur Z, Baster Z, Grzmil P, Starzyński RR, Szudzik M, Jończy A, Lipiński P, Lenartowicz M. Molecular machinery providing copper bioavailability for spermatozoa along the epididymial tubule in mouse. Biol Reprod 2020; 100:1505-1520. [PMID: 30997485 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Progressive functional maturation of spermatozoa is completed during the transit of these cells through the epididymis, a tubule structure connecting a testicle to a vas deferens. Epididymal epithelial cells by means of their secretory and absorptive functions determine a highly specialized luminal microenvironment containing multiple organic and inorganic components. The latter include copper ions, which due to their redox properties are indispensable for critical homeostatic processes occurring in spermatozoa floating in different part of epididymis but can be potentially toxic. Main purpose of our study was to determine epididymal region-dependent expression and localization of copper transporters ensuring a tight control of copper concentration in epididymal fluid. We also aimed at identifying proteins responsible for copper uptake by spermatozoa and verifying whether this process is coordinated with copper supply to superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), a copper-dependent antioxidant enzyme. Our study identifies two ATPases-ATP7A, ATP7B and Slc31a1, major copper importers/exporters depending on their differential expression on epididymal polarized epithelial cells of the caput, corpus, and cauda. Next, ceruloplasmin seems to be a chief protein transporting copper in the epididymal fluid and providing this biometal to spermatozoa. The entry of copper to germ cells is mediated by Slc31a1 and is correlated with both expressions of copper chaperone for superoxide dismutase (CCS), copper chaperone directly providing copper ions to SOD1 and with the expression and activity of the latter. Our results outline a network of cooperating copper binding proteins expressed in epididymal epithelium and in spermatozoa that orchestrate bioavailability of this microelement for gametes and protect them against copper toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Ogórek
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - S Herman
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - O Pierzchała
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - A Bednarz
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Z Rajfur
- Institute of Physics, Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Science, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Z Baster
- Institute of Physics, Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Science, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - P Grzmil
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - R R Starzyński
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzębiec, Poland
| | - M Szudzik
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzębiec, Poland
| | - A Jończy
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzębiec, Poland
| | - P Lipiński
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzębiec, Poland
| | - M Lenartowicz
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ogórek M, Lenartowicz M, Starzyński R, Jończy A, Staroń R, Doniec A, Krzeptowski W, Bednarz A, Pierzchała O, Lipiński P, Rajfur Z, Baster Z, Gibas-Tybur P, Grzmil P. Atp7a and Atp7b regulate copper homeostasis in developing male germ cells in mice. Metallomics 2018; 9:1288-1303. [PMID: 28820536 DOI: 10.1039/c7mt00134g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The maintenance of copper homeostasis is critical for all cells. As learned from mice with disturbed copper metabolism, this trace element is also important for spermatogenesis. The experiments conducted in yeasts have demonstrated that appropriate copper level must be preserved to enable meiosis progression; however, increased copper level is toxic for cells. This study aims to analyze the expression profile of Atp7a and Atp7b and other genes encoding copper-related proteins during spermatogenesis in mice. Using the transcripts and protein detection techniques, we demonstrate that within seminiferous tubuli, ATP7A is mainly present in early meiotic germ cells (leptotene to pachytene spermatocytes) and in Sertoli cells (SCs). During spermatogenesis, the progression Atp7a expression profile corresponds to Slc31a1 (encoding copper importer CTR1) and Atox1 (encoding chaperon protein, which delivers copper from CTR1 to ATP7A and ATP7B) expression, suggesting that male germ cells retrieve copper and ATP7A protects them from copper overdose. In contrast, ATP7B protein is observed in SCs and near elongated spermatids; thus, its function seems to be related to copper extraction during spermiogenesis. This is the first study to give a comprehensive view on the activity of copper-related genes during spermatogenesis in mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Ogórek
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University Kraków, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387 Kraków, Poland.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Copper therapy reduces intravascular hemolysis and derepresses ferroportin in mice with mosaic mutation (Atp7a mo-ms): An implication for copper-mediated regulation of the Slc40a1 gene expression. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2017; 1863:1410-1421. [PMID: 28219768 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2017.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Revised: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Mosaic mutant mice displaying functional dysfunction of Atp7a copper transporter (the Menkes ATPase) are an established animal model of Menkes disease and constitute a convenient tool for investigating connections between copper and iron metabolisms. This model allows to explore changes in iron metabolism in suckling mutant mice suffering from systemic copper deficiency as well as in young and adult ones undergone copper therapy, which reduces lethal effect of the Atp7a gene mutation. Our recent study demonstrated that 14-day-old mosaic mutant males display blood cell abnormalities associated with intravascular hemolysis, and show disturbances in the functioning of the hepcidin-ferroportin regulatory axis, which controls systemic iron homeostasis. We thus aimed to check whether copper supplementation recovers mutants from hemolytic insult and rebalance systemic iron regulation. Copper supplementation of 14-day-old mosaic mutants resulted in the reestablishment of hematological status, attenuation of hepicidin and concomitant induction of the iron exporter ferroportin/Slc40a1 expression in the liver, down-regulated in untreated mutants. Interestingly, treatment of wild-type males with copper, induced hepcidin-independent up-regulation of ferroportin protein level in hepatic macrophages in both young and adult (6-month-old) animals. Stimulatory effect of copper on ferroportin mRNA and protein levels was confirmed in bone marrow-derived macrophages isolated from both wild-type and mosaic mutant males. Our study indicates that copper is an important player in the regulation of the Slc40a1 gene expression.
Collapse
|
7
|
Kanthlal SK, Joseph J, Baskaran Pillai AK, Padma UD. Neural effects in copper deficient Menkes disease: ATP7A-a distinctive marker. ASIAN PACIFIC JOURNAL OF TROPICAL DISEASE 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/s2222-1808(16)61107-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
|
8
|
Lenartowicz M, Krzeptowski W, Lipiński P, Grzmil P, Starzyński R, Pierzchała O, Møller LB. Mottled Mice and Non-Mammalian Models of Menkes Disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2015; 8:72. [PMID: 26732058 PMCID: PMC4684000 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2015.00072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Menkes disease is a multi-systemic copper metabolism disorder caused by mutations in the X-linked ATP7A gene and characterized by progressive neurodegeneration and severe connective tissue defects. The ATP7A protein is a copper (Cu)-transporting ATPase expressed in all tissues and plays a critical role in the maintenance of copper homeostasis in cells of the whole body. ATP7A participates in copper absorption in the small intestine and in copper transport to the central nervous system (CNS) across the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) and blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB). Cu is essential for synaptogenesis and axonal development. In cells, ATP7A participates in the incorporation of copper into Cu-dependent enzymes during the course of its maturation in the secretory pathway. There is a high degree of homology (>80%) between the human ATP7A and murine Atp7a genes. Mice with mutations in the Atp7a gene, called mottled mutants, are well-established and excellent models of Menkes disease. Mottled mutants closely recapitulate the Menkes phenotype and are invaluable for studying Cu-metabolism. They provide useful models for exploring and testing new forms of therapy in Menkes disease. Recently, non-mammalian models of Menkes disease, Drosophila melanogaster and Danio rerio mutants were used in experiments which would be technically difficult to carry out in mammals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Lenartowicz
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University Kraków, Poland
| | - Wojciech Krzeptowski
- Department of Cell Biology and Imaging, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University Kraków, Poland
| | - Paweł Lipiński
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences Wólka Kosowska, Poland
| | - Paweł Grzmil
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University Kraków, Poland
| | - Rafał Starzyński
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences Wólka Kosowska, Poland
| | - Olga Pierzchała
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University Kraków, Poland
| | - Lisbeth Birk Møller
- Applied Human Molecular Genetics, Kennedy Center, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital Glostrup, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Lenartowicz M, Kennedy C, Hayes H, McArdle HJ. Transcriptional regulation of copper metabolism genes in the liver of fetal and neonatal control and iron-deficient rats. Biometals 2014; 28:51-9. [PMID: 25349135 PMCID: PMC4300417 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-014-9802-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2014] [Accepted: 10/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Copper and iron metabolism have been known to interact for many years. We have previously shown, during pregnancy, that copper levels in the maternal liver rise as a consequence of iron deficiency, but that levels in the fetal liver decrease. In this paper, we measure expression of genes involved in copper metabolism in fetal and postnatal liver, to test whether alterations can explain this observation. Additionally, we study the extent to which gene expression changes in the latter stages of pregnancy and in the perinatal period. Ctr1 expression levels dropped to term, rising again thereafter. There was no difference in gene expression between control and iron deficient animals. Atox1 expression remained approximately stable until term, and then there was a rise to a maximum at about Day 8. Atp7a expression levels remained constant, except for a brief drop at term. Atp7b levels, in contrast, decreased from a maximum early in gestation to low levels in the term and post-natal livers. Ceruloplasmin expression appeared to be diametrically opposite to Atp7b. The other two metallochaperones showed the same pattern of expression as Atox1, with a decrease to term, a rise at Day 1, or a rise after birth followed by a brief decrease at about Day 3. None of the genes were significantly affected by iron deficiency, suggesting that changes in expression cannot explain the altered copper levels in the fetal and neonatal liver.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Malgorzata Lenartowicz
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Lenartowicz M, Starzyński RR, Krzeptowski W, Grzmil P, Bednarz A, Ogórek M, Pierzchała O, Staroń R, Gajowiak A, Lipiński P. Haemolysis and perturbations in the systemic iron metabolism of suckling, copper-deficient mosaic mutant mice - an animal model of Menkes disease. PLoS One 2014; 9:e107641. [PMID: 25247420 PMCID: PMC4172471 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0107641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2014] [Accepted: 08/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The biological interaction between copper and iron is best exemplified by the decreased activity of multicopper ferroxidases under conditions of copper deficiency that limits the availability of iron for erythropoiesis. However, little is known about how copper deficiency affects iron homeostasis through alteration of the activity of other copper-containing proteins, not directly connected with iron metabolism, such as superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1). This antioxidant enzyme scavenges the superoxide anion, a reactive oxygen species contributing to the toxicity of iron via the Fenton reaction. Here, we analyzed changes in the systemic iron metabolism using an animal model of Menkes disease: copper-deficient mosaic mutant mice with dysfunction of the ATP7A copper transporter. We found that the erythrocytes of these mutants are copper-deficient, display decreased SOD1 activity/expression and have cell membrane abnormalities. In consequence, the mosaic mice show evidence of haemolysis accompanied by haptoglobin-dependent elimination of haemoglobin (Hb) from the circulation, as well as the induction of haem oxygenase 1 (HO1) in the liver and kidney. Moreover, the hepcidin-ferroportin regulatory axis is strongly affected in mosaic mice. These findings indicate that haemolysis is an additional pathogenic factor in a mouse model of Menkes diseases and provides evidence of a new indirect connection between copper deficiency and iron metabolism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Lenartowicz
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Rafał R. Starzyński
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences, Magdalenka, Poland
| | - Wojciech Krzeptowski
- Department of Cell Biology and Imaging, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Paweł Grzmil
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Bednarz
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Mateusz Ogórek
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Olga Pierzchała
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Robert Staroń
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences, Magdalenka, Poland
| | - Anna Gajowiak
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences, Magdalenka, Poland
| | - Paweł Lipiński
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences, Magdalenka, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Rademacher C, Masepohl B. Copper-responsive gene regulation in bacteria. Microbiology (Reading) 2012; 158:2451-2464. [DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.058487-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Corinna Rademacher
- Biologie der Mikroorganismen, Fakultät für Biologie und Biotechnologie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Bernd Masepohl
- Biologie der Mikroorganismen, Fakultät für Biologie und Biotechnologie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Lenartowicz M, Krzeptowski W, Koteja P, Chrząścik K, Møller LB. Prenatal treatment of mosaic mice (Atp7a mo-ms) mouse model for Menkes disease, with copper combined by dimethyldithiocarbamate (DMDTC). PLoS One 2012; 7:e40400. [PMID: 22815746 PMCID: PMC3399861 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0040400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2011] [Accepted: 06/09/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Menkes disease is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder in infants caused by mutations in the gene ATP7A which encodes a copper (Cu) transporter. Defects in ATP7A lead to accumulated copper in the small intestine and kidneys and to copper deficiencies in the brain and the liver. The copper level in the kidney in postnatal copper-treated Menkes patients may reach toxic levels. The mouse model, mosaic Atp7a mo-ms recapitulates the Menkes phenotype and die about 15.75±1.5 days of age. In the present study we found that prenatal treatment of mosaic murine fetuses throughout gestation days 7, 11, 15 and 18 with a combination of CuCl2 (50 mg/kg) and dimethyldithiocarbamate (DMDTC) (280 mg/kg) leads to an increase in survival to about 76±25.3 days, whereas treatment with CuCl2 alone (50 mg/kg) only leads to survival for about 21 days ±5 days. These copper-DMDTC treated mutants showed an improved locomotor activity performance and a gain in body mass. In contrast to treatment with CuCl2 alone, a significant increase in the amount of copper was observed in the brain after prenatal copper-DMDTC treatment as well as a decrease in the amount of accumulated copper in the kidney, both leading towards a normalization of the copper level. Although copper-DMDTC prenatal treatment only leads to a small increase in the sub-normal copper concentration in the liver and to an increase of copper in the already overloaded small intestine, the combined results suggest that prenatal copper-DMDTC treatment also should be considered for humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Lenartowicz
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Affiliation(s)
- Yasumitsu Ogra
- Laboratory of Chemical Toxicology and Environmental Health and High Technology Research Center, Showa Pharmaceutical University
| |
Collapse
|