Copper high affinity transporter

Normal growth and development requires precise homeostasis of copper (Cu) metabolism. Deficiency in copper either by inadequate intake or surgical intervention led to many physiological abnormalities including cardiac hypertrophy, neuronal de-mylenation, alterations in blood vessels and impaired immune response (1). In contract copper toxicity led to morphological and metabolic disturbances and eventual death.  Copper is transported into the cells via 4 types of transporters (CTR1, CTR2, ATP7A, ATP7B).  Cu is a cofactor for cytochrome C oxidase in mitochondria, an important enzyme in oxidative phosphorylation and energy metabolism. Copper homeostasis in the cells is regulated by high affinity transporter CTR1, a low affinity transporter CTR2, and several Cu chaperons (CCs, Atox1, Cox17, SCO1 and SCO2).  The Cu is efluxed out of cells by ATP7A and ATP7B trnasporters. The intracellular compartmentalization of Cu involves several soluble regulators such as Dynactin, ARF1 GTPase (ARF1), COMMD1, ubiquitination enzymes. 

Cu uptake in the cells is mainly regulated by CTR1, that is ubiquitously expressed but high density was observed in choroid plexus, renal tubules and in connective tissues of eye, ovary and testis. CTR1 is a facilitative transporter for Cu with an apparent Km of 2-5 uM  and ins inhibited by silver (2). CTR1 also makes Cu bioavailable for its physiological actions. The molecular organization og CTR1 I membrane has 4 functional domains, an extracellular N-terminus, 3 TMDs, an intracellular loop, and an intracellular C-terminus. Cu binds to Cys and His rich extracellular domain and causes a conformational change in intracellular domain for transport activity.  Recent studies indicate that Cu and chemotherapeutic cancer drug cisplatin interact at CTR1 which makes it an important therapeutic target.  Alterations in the CTR1 expression modulate the resistance of tumor cells to cisplatin and related drugs (3). 

CTR1 gene is located on chromosome and is a 190 aa protein.  FabGennix has made epitope specific high affinity antibodies to CTR1 using modified peptide methodology.   The CTR1 antibodies were generated using peptide corresponding to N-terminal and mid-region epitopes form human CTR1 protein. CTR1 antibodies are affinity purified over immobilized antigen based affinity chromatography, and the purified immunoglobulins are stabilized in antibody stabilization buffer. FabGennix Int. Inc. will provide limited quantities of antigenic blocking peptides for competition assays involving CTR1antibodies. Antibodies to CTR1 (hCTR1-101AP and hCTR1-112AP) will label ~25kDa protein in CTR1 Western blot positive control sample (PC-CTR1) and in several other tissues and cell lines.  FabGennix Inc. will conjugate this and other antibodies from its catalog to either secondary enzymes (alk-Pase or HRP) or fluorescent probes at a nominal cost upon request.  FabGennix also provides custom antibody production services for researchers that are looking for high affinity mono and polyclonal antibodies.  We offer polyclonal antibodies in various species including Llama. We specialize in making application specific antibodies that are useful in IHC, confocal and other applications where native antigen is detected. For a complete listing of all FabGennix antibodies please visit www.Fabgennix.com.

For research use only, not for diagnostic or therapeutic use.