RECONSTITUTION OF CERULOPLASMIN BY THE CU(I)-GLUTATHIONE COMPLEX - EVIDENCE FOR A ROLE OF MG2+ AND ATP

The copper-glutathione complex (Cu(I)-GSH) efficiently acted in vitro as the source of Cu(I) in the reconstitution of apoceruloplasmin. Copp er was found to reinstate in the various sites in a multistep process, with metal entry into the protein in a first phase, and a second step involving conformational changes of the protein leading to the recove ry of the native structural and functional properties. This latter pha se was found to be strongly facilitated by Mg2+ or Ca2+ and by ATP. Bo th Mg2+ and ATP had to be present for optimal reconstitution. These re sults may shed some light on the mechanisms governing the biosynthesis of ceruloplasmin in vivo. Cu(I)-GSH was the only complex able to reco nstitute ceruloplasmin at neutral pH. Glutathione may thus function to shuttle the metal from the membrane copper pump, as the Wilson diseas e ATPase, and ceruloplasmin in the secretory compartments of the cell. The finding that ceruloplasmin acquires the native conformation after metal entry through a complex pathway triggered by Mg2+ and ATP sugge sts that they may act as physiological modulators of this process in v ivo.