An unexpected all-metal aromatic tetranuclear silver cluster in human copper chaperone Atox1.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Wang X
PROVIDER: S-EPMC9214858 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:It is unclear how the human copper (Cu) chaperone Atox1 delivers Cu to metal-binding domains of Wilson and Menkes disease proteins in the cytoplasm. To begin to address this problem, we have characterized Cu(I) release from wild-type Atox1 and two point mutants (Met(10)Ala and Lys(60)Ala). The dynamics of Cu(I) displacement from holo-Atox1 were measured by using the Cu(I) chelator bicinchonic acid (BCA) as a metal acceptor. BCA removes Cu(I) from Atox1 in a three-step process involving the bimolecular formation of an initial Atox1-Cu-BCA complex followed by dissociation of Atox1 and the binding of a second BCA to generate apo-Atox1 and Cu-BCA(2). Both mutants lose Cu(I) more readily than wild-type Atox1 because of more rapid and facile displacement of the protein from the Atox1-Cu-BCA intermediate by the second BCA. Remarkably, Cu(I) uptake from solution by BCA is much slower than the transfer from holo-Atox1, presumably because of slow dissociation of DTT-Cu complexes. These results suggest that Cu chaperones play a key role in making Cu(I) rapidly accessible to substrates and that the activated protein-metal-chelator complex may kinetically mimic the ternary chaperone-metal-target complex involved in Cu(I) transfer in vivo.
| S-EPMC2516206 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BACKGROUND:Copper is an essential trace element that plays a critical role in the survival of all living organisms. Menkes disease and occipital horn syndrome (OHS) are allelic disorders of copper transport caused by defects in a X-linked gene (ATP7A) that encodes a P-type ATPase that transports copper across cellular membranes, including the trans-Golgi network. Genetic studies in yeast recently revealed a new family of cytoplasmic proteins called copper chaperones which bind copper ions and deliver them to specific cellular pathways. Biochemical studies of the human homolog of one copper chaperone, ATOX1, indicate direct interaction with the Menkes/OHS protein. Although no disease-associated mutations have been reported in ATOX1, mice with disruption of the ATOX1 locus demonstrate perinatal mortality similar to that observed in the brindled mice (Mobr), a mouse model of Menkes disease. The cDNA sequence for ATOX1 is known, and the genomic organization has not been reported. RESULTS:We determined the genomic structure of ATOX1. The gene contains 4 exons spanning a genomic distance of approximately 16 kb. The translation start codon is located in the 3' end of exon 1 and the termination codon in exon 3. We developed a PCR-based assay to amplify the coding regions and splice junctions from genomic DNA. We screened for ATOX1 mutations in two patients with classical Menkes disease phenotypes and one individual with occipital horn syndrome who had no alterations detected in ATP7A, as well as an adult female with chronic anemia, low serum copper and evidence of mild dopamine-beta-hydroxylase deficiency and no alterations in the ATOX1 coding or splice junction sequences were found. CONCLUSIONS:In this study, we characterized the genomic structure of the human copper chaperone ATOX1 to facilitate screening of this gene from genomic DNA in patients whose clinical or biochemical phenotypes suggest impaired copper transport.
| S-EPMC150598 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The human transporter ATP7B delivers copper to the biosynthetic pathways and maintains copper homeostasis in the liver. Mutations in ATP7B cause the potentially fatal hepatoneurological disorder Wilson disease. The activity and intracellular localization of ATP7B are regulated by copper, but the molecular mechanism of this regulation is largely unknown. We show that the copper chaperone Atox1, which delivers copper to ATP7B, and the group of the first three metal-binding domains (MBD1-3) are central to the activity regulation of ATP7B. Atox1-Cu binding to ATP7B changes domain dynamics and interactions within the MBD1-3 group and activates ATP hydrolysis. To understand the mechanism linking Atox1-MBD interactions and enzyme activity, we have determined the MBD1-3 conformational space using small angle X-ray scattering and identified changes in MBD dynamics caused by apo-Atox1 and Atox1-Cu by solution NMR. The results show that copper transfer from Atox1 decreases domain interactions within the MBD1-3 group and increases the mobility of the individual domains. The N-terminal segment of MBD1-3 was found to interact with the nucleotide-binding domain of ATP7B, thus physically coupling the domains involved in copper binding and those involved in ATP hydrolysis. Taken together, the data suggest a regulatory mechanism in which Atox1-mediated copper transfer activates ATP7B by releasing inhibitory constraints through increased freedom of MBD1-3 motions.
| S-EPMC5672040 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Cisplatin (cisPt), Pt(NH(3))(2)Cl(2), is a cancer drug believed to kill cells via DNA binding and damage. Recent work has implied that the cellular copper (Cu) transport machinery may be involved in cisPt cell export and drug resistance. Normally, the Cu chaperone Atox1 binds Cu(I) via two cysteines and delivers the metal to metal-binding domains of ATP7B; the ATP7B domains then transfer the metal to the Golgi lumen for loading on cuproenzymes. Here, we use spectroscopic methods to test if cisPt interacts with purified Atox1 in solution in vitro. We find that cisPt binds to Atox1's metal-binding site regardless of the presence of Cu or not: When Cu is bound to Atox1, the near-UV circular dichroism signals indicate Cu-Pt interactions. From NMR data, it is evident that cisPt binds to the folded protein. CisPt-bound Atox1 is however not stable over time and the protein begins to unfold and aggregate. The reaction rates are limited by slow cisPt dechlorination. CisPt-induced unfolding of Atox1 is specific because this effect was not observed for two unrelated proteins that also bind cisPt. Our study demonstrates that Atox1 is a candidate for cisPt drug resistance: By binding to Atox1 in the cytoplasm, cisPt transport to DNA may be blocked. In agreement with this model, cell line studies demonstrate a correlation between Atox1 expression levels, and cisplatin resistance.
| S-EPMC3084073 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The anaphase-promoting complex (APC) is involved in several processes in the cell cycle, most prominently it facilitates the separation of the sister chromatids during mitosis, before cell division. Because of the key role in the cell cycle, APC is suggested as a putative target for anticancer agents. We here show that the copper chaperone Atox1, known for shuttling copper in the cytoplasm from Ctr1 to ATP7A/B in the secretory pathway, interacts with several APC subunits. Atox1 interactions with APC subunits were discovered by mass spectrometry of co-immunoprecipitated samples and further confirmed using proximity ligation assays in HEK293T cells. Upon comparing wild-type cells with those in which the Atox1 gene had been knocked out, we found that in the absence of Atox1 protein, cells have prolonged G2/M phases and a slower proliferation rate. Thus, in addition to copper transport for loading of copper-dependent enzymes, Atox1 may modulate the cell cycle by interacting with APC subunits.
| S-EPMC6231052 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The bioavailability of copper (Cu) in human cells may depend on a complex interplay with zinc (Zn) ions. We investigated the ability of the Zn ion to target the human Cu-chaperone Atox1, a small cytosolic protein capable of anchoring Cu(I), by a conserved surface-exposed Cys-X-X-Cys (CXXC) motif, and deliver it to Cu-transporting ATPases in the trans-Golgi network. The crystal structure of Atox1 loaded with Zn displays the metal ion bridging the CXXC motifs of two Atox1 molecules in a homodimer. The identity and location of the Zn ion were confirmed through the anomalous scattering of the metal by collecting X-ray diffraction data near the Zn K-edge. Furthermore, soaking experiments of the Zn-loaded Atox1 crystals with a strong chelating agent, such as EDTA, caused only limited removal of the metal ion from the tetrahedral coordination cage, suggesting a potential role of Atox1 in Zn metabolism and, more generally, that Cu and Zn transport mechanisms could be interlocked in human cells.
| S-EPMC9599288 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Cancer cells cope with high oxidative stress levels, characterized by a shift toward the oxidized form (GSSG) of glutathione (GSH) in the redox couple GSSG/2GSH. Under these conditions, the cytosolic copper chaperone Atox1, which delivers Cu(I) to the secretory pathway, gets oxidized, i.e., a disulfide bond is formed between the cysteine residues of the Cu(I)-binding CxxC motif. Switching to the covalently-linked form, sulfur atoms are not able to bind the Cu(I) ion and Atox1 cannot play an antioxidant role. Atox1 has also been implicated in the resistance to platinum chemotherapy. In the presence of excess GSH, the anticancer drug cisplatin binds to Cu(I)-Atox1 but not to the reduced apoprotein. With the aim to investigate the interaction of cisplatin with the disulfide form of the protein, we performed a structural characterization in solution and in the solid state of oxidized human Atox1 and explored its ability to bind cisplatin under conditions mimicking an oxidizing environment. Cisplatin targets a methionine residue of oxidized Atox1; however, in the presence of GSH as reducing agent, the drug binds irreversibly to the protein with ammine ligands trans to Cys12 and Cys15. The results are discussed with reference to the available literature data and a mechanism is proposed connecting platinum drug processing to redox and copper homeostasis.
| S-EPMC6769983 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Cisplatin (CisPt) is an anticancer agent that has been used for decades to treat a variety of cancers. CisPt treatment causes many side effects due to interactions with proteins that detoxify the drug before reaching the DNA. One key player in CisPt resistance is the cellular copper-transport system involving the uptake protein Ctr1, the cytoplasmic chaperone Atox1 and the secretory path ATP7A/B proteins. CisPt has been shown to bind to ATP7B, resulting in vesicle sequestering of the drug. In addition, we and others showed that the apo-form of Atox1 could interact with CisPt in vitro and in vivo. Since the function of Atox1 is to transport copper (Cu) ions, it is important to assess how CisPt binding depends on Cu-loading of Atox1. Surprisingly, we recently found that CisPt interacted with Cu-loaded Atox1 in vitro at a position near the Cu site such that unique spectroscopic features appeared. Here, we identify the binding site for CisPt in the Cu-loaded form of Atox1 using strategic variants and a combination of spectroscopic and chromatographic methods. We directly prove that both metals can bind simultaneously and that the unique spectroscopic signals originate from an Atox1 monomer species. Both Cys in the Cu-site (Cys12, Cys15) are needed to form the di-metal complex, but not Cys41. Removing Met10 in the conserved metal-binding motif makes the loop more floppy and, despite metal binding, there are no metal-metal electronic transitions. In silico geometry minimizations provide an energetically favorable model of a tentative ternary Cu-Pt-Atox1 complex. Finally, we demonstrate that Atox1 can deliver CisPt to the fourth metal binding domain 4 of ATP7B (WD4), indicative of a possible drug detoxification mechanism.
| S-EPMC3728025 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Human antioxidant protein 1 (Atox1) is a small cytosolic protein with an essential role in copper homeostasis. Atox1 functions as a copper carrier facilitating copper transfer to the secretory pathway. This process is required for activation of copper dependent enzymes involved in neurotransmitter biosynthesis, iron efflux, neovascularization, wound healing, and regulation of blood pressure. Recently, new cellular roles for Atox1 have emerged. Changing levels of Atox1 were shown to modulate response to cancer therapies, contribute to inflammatory response, and protect cells against various oxidative stresses. It has also become apparent that the activity of Atox1 is tightly linked to the cellular redox status. In this review, we summarize biochemical information related to a dual role of Atox1 as a copper chaperone and an antioxidant. We discuss how these two activities could be linked and contribute to establishing the intracellular copper balance and functional identity of cells during differentiation.
| S-EPMC5039574 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Copper is involved in different hallmarks of cancer, including metastasis, but responsible copper-binding proteins and pathways are not clear. The copper chaperone ATOX1 was recently shown to play a role in breast cancer cell migration, which is a key step in metastasis. Since most cancer-related deaths are due to metastasis, we hypothesized that ATOX1 mRNA expression may be associated with breast cancer disease progression and thus, a prognostic biomarker in breast cancer. We therefore studied the association of ATOX1 expression levels with clinicopathological parameters and survival for 1904 breast cancer patients using the METABRIC data set. Our results indicate ATOX1 expression levels as a potential prognostic biomarker for ER-positive subtypes and early stages of breast cancer. Pre-clinical studies and clinical trials are desired to identify the molecular roles of ATOX1 in these conditions.
| S-EPMC7196078 | biostudies-literature