Wilson disease: Not just a copper disorder. Analysis of a Wilson disease model demonstrates the link between copper and lipid metabolism

Dominik Huster, Svetlana Lutsenko

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

74 Scopus citations

Abstract

Copper is an essential nutrient required for normal growth and development in many organisms. In humans, the disruption of normal copper absorption and excretion is associated with two severe disorders, known as Menkes disease and Wilson disease, respectively. The consequences of insufficient copper supply that is characteristic of Menkes disease have been largely linked to the inactivation of key metabolic enzymes, although other non-enzymatic processes may also be involved. In contrast, the consequences of copper accumulation in Wilson disease have been generally ascribed to copper-induced radical-mediated damage. Recent studies suggest that the cellular response to copper overload, particularly at the early stages of copper accumulation, involves more specific mechanisms and specific pathways. Genetic and metabolic characterization of animal models of Wilson disease has provided new insights into the pre-symptomatic effects of copper that is accumulated in the liver. The studies have uncovered unexpected links between copper metabolism, cell-cycle machinery, and cholesterol biosynthesis. We discuss these new findings along with the earlier reports on dietary effects of copper. Together these experiments suggest a tight link between lipid and copper metabolism and identify several candidate proteins that may mediate the cross-talk between copper status and lipid metabolism.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)816-824
Number of pages9
JournalMolecular BioSystems
Volume3
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2007
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Molecular Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Wilson disease: Not just a copper disorder. Analysis of a Wilson disease model demonstrates the link between copper and lipid metabolism'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this