Effects of copper deficiency on the immune system.
Effects of copper deficiency on the immune system.
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DOI：
10.1007/978-1-4613-0553-8_11
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发表时间：
1990
影响因子：
--
通讯作者：
J. Prohaska;O. Lukasewycz
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
J. Prohaska;O. Lukasewycz
Copper is an essential metal for proper functioning of all living systems. Biochemical mechanisms have evolved that result in homeostatic balance of copper. This ensures that adequate but not toxic levels are absorbed, transported, utilized, and excreted. Throughout the biological kingdom copper expresses its function through specific ligands as free copper ion is rapidly complexed. These ligands are usually specific cuproenzymes. Knowledge of these cuproenzymes forms the basis of our current understanding of the biochemical function of copper (Prohaska, 1988).In animals there are approximately ten proteins that are generally accepted as true cuproenzymes (Prohaska, 1988). They range in size from small single polypeptides to complex tetramers with up to eight Cu atoms per mole. Some cuproenzymes have additional cofactor requirements such as zinc, heme iron, or pyrroloquinoline quinone. It is this diverse nature of the many cuproenzymes that is responsible for the variety of specialized copper functions.
