Copper metabolism in the kidney of rats administered copper and copper-metallothionein

Metallothionein, Copper and Alpha-Synuclein in Alpha-Synucleinopathies

Metallothioneins (MTs) are proteins that function by metal exchange to regulate the bioavailability of metals, such as zinc and copper. Copper functions in the brain to regulate mitochondria, neurotransmitter production, and cell signaling. Inappropriate copper binding can result in loss of protein function and Cu(I)/(II) redox cycling can generate reactive oxygen species. Copper accumulates in the brain with aging and has been shown to bind alpha-synuclein and initiate its aggregation, the primary aetiological factor in Parkinson's disease (PD), and other alpha-synucleinopathies. In PD, total tissue copper is decreased, including neuromelanin-bound copper and there is a reduction in copper transporter CTR-1. Conversely cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) copper is increased. MT-1/2 expression is increased in activated astrocytes in alpha-synucleinopathies, yet expression of the neuronal MT-3 isoform may be reduced. MTs have been implicated in inflammatory states to perform one-way exchange of copper, releasing free zinc and recent studies have found copper bound to alpha-synuclein is transferred to the MT-3 isoform in vitro and MT-3 is found bound to pathological alpha-synuclein aggregates in the alpha-synucleinopathy, multiple systems atrophy. Moreover, both MT and alpha-synuclein can be released and taken up by neural cells via specific receptors and so may interact both intra- and extra-cellularly. Here, we critically review the role of MTs in copper dyshomeostasis and alpha-synuclein aggregation, and their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Intracellular targeting of copper-transporting ATPase ATP7A in a normal andAtp7b−/−kidney

Kidneys regulate their copper content more effectively than many other organs in diseases of copper deficiency or excess. We demonstrate that two copper-transporting ATPases, ATP7A and ATP7B, contribute to this regulation. ATP7A is expressed, to a variable degree, throughout the kidney and shows age-dependent intracellular localization. In 2-wk-old mice, ATP7A is located in the vicinity of the basolateral membrane, whereas in 20-wk-old mice, ATP7A is predominantly in intracellular vesicles. Acute elevation of serum copper, via intraperitoneal injection, results in the in vivo redistribution of ATP7A from intracellular compartments toward the basolateral membrane, illustrating a role for ATP7A in renal response to changes in copper load. Renal copper homeostasis also requires functional ATP7B, which is coexpressed with ATP7A in renal cells of proximal and distal origin. The kidneys of Atp7b−/−mice, an animal model of Wilson disease, show metabolic alterations manifested by the appearance of highly fluorescent deposits; however, in marked contrast to the liver, renal copper is not significantly elevated. The lack of notable copper accumulation in the Atp7b−/−kidney is likely due to the compensatory export of copper by ATP7A. This interpretation is supported by the predominant localization of ATP7A at the basolateral membrane of Atp7b−/−cortical tubules. Our results suggest that both Cu-ATPases regulate renal copper, with ATP7A playing a major role in exporting copper via basolateral membranes and protecting renal tissue against copper overload.