ATOX1 Human
Description
Product Specs
Product Science Overview
Copper is an essential trace element that plays a critical role in various biological processes, including cellular respiration, antioxidant defense, neurotransmitter biosynthesis, connective tissue formation, and pigment production. The regulation of copper within cells is crucial, as both deficiency and excess of copper can lead to severe metabolic disorders and cellular damage.
The ATOX1 (Antioxidant Protein 1) gene encodes a human copper chaperone protein that is pivotal in maintaining cellular copper homeostasis. ATOX1 is responsible for the cytosolic absorption of copper from the copper transporter 1 (CTR1) and its subsequent transport to the copper pumps in the Trans Golgi Network (TGN), specifically to the ATP7A and ATP7B proteins .
ATOX1 is a small, cytosolic protein that binds copper ions and delivers them to specific cellular pathways. It plays a significant role in the antioxidant defense mechanism by mitigating the harmful effects of free copper ions, which can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cause oxidative damage to proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids .
The ATOX1 gene consists of four exons spanning approximately 16 kilobases (kb) of genomic DNA. The translation start codon is located in the 3’ end of exon 1, and the termination codon is in exon 3. This genomic organization facilitates the screening of ATOX1 mutations in patients with clinical or biochemical phenotypes suggestive of impaired copper transport .
Mutations or dysregulation of ATOX1 can lead to copper-induced diseases such as Wilson’s disease and Menkes disease. Wilson’s disease is characterized by excessive copper accumulation in tissues, leading to liver and neurological damage. Menkes disease, on the other hand, results from defective copper transport, causing severe developmental and neurological impairments .
