Open AccessDistinct Functional Roles for the Menkes and Wilson Copper Translocating P-type ATPases in Human Placental Cells
Author(s) -
Belinda Hardman,
Agnes Michalczyk,
Mark Greenough,
James Camakaris,
JJulian Mercer,
M. Leigh Ackland
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
cellular physiology and biochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.486
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1421-9778
pISSN - 1015-8987
DOI - 10.1159/000110718
Subject(s) - atp7a , atpase , biology , menkes disease , placenta , copper , microbiology and biotechnology , copper deficiency , fetus , superoxide dismutase , transport protein , p type atpase , biochemistry , chemistry , genetics , enzyme , copper metabolism , pregnancy , organic chemistry
The copper transporting ATPases, Menkes (ATP7A; MNK) and Wilson (ATP7B; WND) are essential for normal copper transport in the human body. The placenta is the key organ in copper supply to the fetus during pregnancy and it is one of the few organs in the body to express both of the ATPases. The placenta therefore provides a unique opportunity to elucidate the specific roles of these transporters within the one cell type.