SLC31A1 transports Cu1+ from extracellular region to cytosol

Stable Identifier
R-HSA-437300
Type
Reaction [transition]
Species
Homo sapiens
Compartment
plasma membrane
Synonyms
Cellular copper transport is mediated by human copper transporter 1 hCTR1
ReviewStatus
5/5
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SLC31A1 transports Cu1+ from extracellular region to cytosol
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Copper (Cu) is essential for many important biological processes such as mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, detoxification of free radicals, iron metabolism and neurotransmiter synthesis. Copper is transported as monovalent ion (reviewed by Lane et al., 2025). Too much influx results in cell poisoning. In humans, there are two member of the SLC31 gene family that are implicated in copper transport. The human gene SLC31A1 encodes human copper transporter 1, hCTR1 and is ubiquitiously expressed, with highest levels seen in the liver.. It was first identified by functional complementation in ctr1-deficient yeast (Zhou B and Gitschier J, 1997). hCTR1 exists as a homotrimer at the plasma membrane of cells (De Feo CJ et al, 2007) and is responsible for high-affinity copper uptake (Lee J et al, 2002). The second gene product, hCTR2, has not be characterized yet.
Literature References
PubMed ID Title Journal Year
17211682 A structural perspective on copper uptake in eukaryotes

De Feo, CJ, Aller, SG, Unger, VM

Biometals 2007
40414313 A primer on copper biology in the brain

Lane, AR, Roberts, BR, Fahrni, CJ, Faundez, V

Neurobiol Dis 2025
11734551 Biochemical characterization of the human copper transporter Ctr1

Lee, J, Peña, MM, Nose, Y, Thiele, DJ

J Biol Chem 2002
9207117 hCTR1: a human gene for copper uptake identified by complementation in yeast

Zhou, B, Gitschier, J

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1997
Participants
Input
Output
Participates
as an event of
Catalyst Activity

copper ion transmembrane transporter activity of SLC31A1 [plasma membrane]

Physical Entity
SLC31A1 [plasma membrane] (Homo sapiens)
Activity
copper ion transmembrane transporter activity (GO:0005375)
Orthologous Events
SLC31A1 transports Cu1+ from extracellular region to cytosol (Bos taurus)
SLC31A1 transports Cu1+ from extracellular region to cytosol (Caenorhabditis elegans)
SLC31A1 transports Cu1+ from extracellular region to cytosol (Canis familiaris)
SLC31A1 transports Cu1+ from extracellular region to cytosol (Danio rerio)
SLC31A1 transports Cu1+ from extracellular region to cytosol (Dictyostelium discoideum)
SLC31A1 transports Cu1+ from extracellular region to cytosol (Drosophila melanogaster)
SLC31A1 transports Cu1+ from extracellular region to cytosol (Gallus gallus)
SLC31A1 transports Cu1+ from extracellular region to cytosol (Mus musculus)
SLC31A1 transports Cu1+ from extracellular region to cytosol (Rattus norvegicus)
SLC31A1 transports Cu1+ from extracellular region to cytosol (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)
SLC31A1 transports Cu1+ from extracellular region to cytosol (Schizosaccharomyces pombe)
SLC31A1 transports Cu1+ from extracellular region to cytosol (Sus scrofa)
SLC31A1 transports Cu1+ from extracellular region to cytosol (Xenopus tropicalis)
Cross References
RHEA
Authored
Jassal, B  (2009-09-14)
Reviewed
He, L  (2009-11-12)
D'Eustachio, P  (2025-11-07)
Created
Jassal, B  (2009-09-14)
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