Journal article

Metallo-pathways to Alzheimer's disease: Lessons from genetic disorders of copper trafficking

MA Greenough, A Ramírez Munoz, AI Bush, CM Opazo

Metallomics | ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY | Published : 2016

Abstract

Copper is an essential metal ion that provides catalytic function to numerous enzymes and also regulates neurotransmission and intracellular signaling. Conversely, a deficiency or excess of copper can cause chronic disease in humans. Menkes and Wilson disease are two rare heritable disorders of copper transport that are characterized by copper deficiency and copper overload, respectively. Changes to copper status are also a common feature of several neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In the case of AD, which is characterized by brain copper depletion, changes in the distribution of copper has been ..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Grants

Funding Acknowledgements

The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health acknowledges the strong support from the Victorian Government and in particular the funding from the Operational Infrastructure Support Grant. This work was supported by a NHMRC Dementia Research Fellowship (MAG), the Australian Research Council (AIB; CMO), the National Health and Medical Research Council and the CRC for Mental Health (AIB); ARM is recipient of a BECA Chile Scholarship from the Chilean Government. Figures were produced using Servier Medical Art (http://www.servier.com). We acknowledge the contribution made by pioneers in the field of biological copper research including those recognized in this themed issue of Metallomics - J. Mercer, J. Camakaris and J. R. Prohaska - who were instrumental in characterising the genetics and cell biology of copper transport disorders in humans.