The sequence encoding a superoxide dismutase (SOD) was isolated from the cDNA library of a zinc-tolerant strain of the ericoid mycorrhizal fungus Oidiodendron maius, grown under zinc-stress conditions. Sequence homology to other SODs strongly suggests that it is a copper- and zinc-containing SOD. Functional complementation assays showed that the gene confers increased tolerance to zinc and copp...

The concepts of oxidative stress and antioxidants have been implicated in neurodegenerative disorders. Oxidative stress was assessed by estimating lipid peroxidation product in the form of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Enzymatic antioxidants like superoxide dismutase(SOD), glutathione peroxidase(GPx), catalase, ceruloplasmin and non enzymatic antioxidant vitamins like vitamin...

Copper, though toxic in excess, is an essential trace element that serves as a cofactor in many critical biological processes such as respiration, iron transport, and oxidative stress protection. To maintain this balance between requirement and toxicity, biological systems have developed intricate systems allowing the preservation of homeostasis while ensuring delivery of copper to the appropri...

The aims of this study were to investigate the combined effects of drought stress and copper pollution on enchytraeids under natural conditions in the field and to compare the results of laboratory toxicity tests with results of the field study. Such studies were conducted to increase the understanding of interactions between chemicals and natural stressors and assess the predictive value of st...

Two Arabidopsis thaliana genes (HCC1 and HCC2), resulting from a duplication that took place before the emergence of flowering plants, encode proteins with homology to the SCO proteins involved in copper insertion during cytochrome c oxidase (COX) assembly in other organisms. Heterozygote HCC1 mutant plants produce 25% abnormal seeds with defective embryos arrested at the heart or torpedo stage...

A standardized extract of Phyllanthus emblica (trade named Emblica) was found to have a long-lasting and broad-spectrum antioxidant activity. The product has no pro-oxidation activity induced by iron and/or copper because of its iron and copper chelating ability. Emblica helps protect the skin from the damaging effects of free radicals, non-radicals and transition metal-induced oxidative stress...

Neuroblastoma is frequently diagnosed at advanced stage disease and treatment includes high dose chemotherapy and surgery. Despite the use of aggressive therapy survival rates are poor and children that survive their disease experience long term side effects from their treatment, highlighting the need for effective and less toxic therapies. Catechin is a natural polyphenol with anti-cancer prop...

Wilson disease (WD) is a rare hereditary condition that is caused by a genetic defect in the copper-transporting ATPase ATP7B that results in hepatic copper accumulation and lethal liver failure. The present study focuses on the structural mitochondrial alterations that precede clinical symptoms in the livers of rats lacking Atp7b, an animal model for WD. Liver mitochondria from these Atp7b–/– ...

The biochemical and histopathological alterations in the blood and liver of the teleost fish, Anabas testudineus subjected to two sub-lethal concentrations of copper and the capacity of vitamin C to counteract the toxicity induced perturbations were investigated. The 96 hour LC 50 value of copper for A. testudineus was determined by Probit method and was found to be 1.74 mg/L. The blood and liv...

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis, is one of the most important bacterial pathogens. Recent work has revealed that the natural bactericidal properties of copper are utilized by the host immune system to combat infections with bacteria, including M. tuberculosis. However, M. tuberculosis employs multiple mechanisms to reduce the internal copper amount by efflux and ...