COPPER-BINDING MOTIFS IN CATALYSIS, TRANSPORT, DETOXIFICATION AND SIGNALING

Copper is required for many biological processes but is toxic at high cellular concentrations, so levels in the cell must be strictly contro lled. Copper-binding motifs have been identified and characterized in many proteins. The way in which copper is coordinated by these motifs is important for the transport and distribution of intracellular coppe r and for the effective functioning of copper-dependent enzymes.