Studies of the chemical properties of the enzyme, catecholase, have shown that this polyphenoloxidase consists of a copper-protein complex (l-3). Indications have also been obtained that the enzymic activity of catecholase is associated with the copper part of the molecule, since it has been found that the addition of certain reagents known to react with cupric ions will inhibit the enzymic act...

AIMS Acquisition and detoxification of metal ions are vital biological processes. Given the requirement of metallochaperones in cellular copper distribution and metallation of cuproproteins, this study investigates whether the metallochaperones also deliver metal ions for transporters functioning in metal detoxification. RESULTS Resistance to excess cadmium and copper of the yeast Saccharomyc...

Metal nanoparticles have gained significant interest in the past decade because of their unique physio-chemical properties which has a potential to be used in a wide range of applications. Recent efforts have gained success in synthesising nanoparticles with excellent shape and size control; however they are largely restricted to chemical methods. There is an increasing focus on eco-friendly ‘g...

Copper ions are needed in several steps of cancer progression. However, the underlying mechanisms, and involved copper-binding proteins, are mainly elusive. Since most copper ions in the body (in and outside cells) are protein-bound, it is important to investigate what copper-binding proteins participate and, for these, how they are loaded with copper by copper transport proteins. Mechanistic i...

Wastewaters containing Cu(II) along with ligands are ubiquitous in various industrial sectors. Efficacy of treatment processes for copper removal, especially precipitation, is greatly debilitated by ligands. Chemical reduction being commonly employed for production of metal nanoparticles has also been used for removing copper. Addition of ammonia was reported to be essential for improving coppe...

Because copper ions are both essential cofactors and cytotoxic agents, the net accumulation of this element in a cell must be carefully balanced. Depending upon the cellular copper status, copper ions must either be imported or ejected. CopA, the principal copper efflux ATPase in Escherichia coli, is induced by elevated copper in the medium, but the copper-sensing regulatory factor is unknown. ...

A number of reports have appeared in literature calling attention to the depletion of essential metal ions during chelation therapy on β-thalassaemia patients. We present a speciation study to determine how the iron chelators used in therapy interfere with the homeostatic equilibria of essential metal ions. This work includes a thorough analysis of the pharmacokinetic properties of the chelatin...