Atp7a-regulated enzyme metalation and trafficking in the menkes disease puzzle
Review article, 2021

Copper is vital for numerous cellular functions affecting all tissues and organ systems in the body. The copper pump, ATP7A is critical for whole-body, cellular, and subcellular copper homeostasis, and dysfunction due to genetic defects results in Menkes disease. ATP7A dysfunction leads to copper deficiency in nervous tissue, liver, and blood but accumulation in other tissues. Site-specific cellular deficiencies of copper lead to loss of function of copper-dependent enzymes in all tissues, and the range of Menkes disease pathologies observed can now be explained in full by lack of specific copper enzymes. New pathways involving copper activated lysosomal and steroid sulfatases link patient symptoms usually related to other inborn errors of metabolism to Menkes disease. Additionally, new roles for lysyl oxidase in activation of molecules necessary for the innate immune system, and novel adapter molecules that play roles in ERGIC trafficking of brain receptors and other proteins, are emerging. We here summarize the current knowledge of the roles of copper enzyme function in Menkes disease, with a focus on ATP7A-mediated enzyme metalation in the secretory pathway. By establishing mechanistic relationships between copper-dependent cellular processes and Menkes disease symptoms in patients will not only increase understanding of copper biology but will also allow for the identification of an expanding range of copper-dependent enzymes and pathways. This will raise awareness of rare patient symptoms, and thus aid in early diagnosis of Menkes disease patients.

ATP7A

Copper enzyme

Copper trafficking

Symptomatology

Menkes disease

Author

Nina Horn

John F. Kennedy Institute

Pernilla Wittung Stafshede

Chalmers, Biology and Biological Engineering, Chemical Biology

Biomedicines

22279059 (eISSN)

Vol. 9 4 391

Subject Categories

Other Clinical Medicine

Medical Biotechnology (with a focus on Cell Biology (including Stem Cell Biology), Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry or Biopharmacy)

Neurology

Areas of Advance

Health Engineering

DOI

10.3390/biomedicines9040391

PubMed

33917579

More information

Latest update

1/3/2024 9