Endothelial Cu Uptake Transporter CTR1 Senses Disturbed Flow to Promote Atherosclerosis through Cuproptosis.

ABSTRACT: Endothelial cells (ECs) lining blood vessels sense disturbed blood flow (D-flow), which drives mitochondrial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient, and its disruption of homeostasis has been implicated in atherosclerosis. Cellular Cu levels are tightly controlled by Cu transport proteins including the Cu importer CTR1. Cuproptosis is a recently discovered form of regulated cell death triggered by mitochondrial Cu accumulation, but its endogenous stimulants and role in atherosclerosis remain unknown. Using EC-specific CTR1-deficient mice and cultured ECs, we show that endothelial CTR1 responds to D-flow by increasing mitochondrial Cu levels through its interaction with the mitochondrial Cu transporter SLC25A3 at caveolae/lipid rafts. This leads to the ag

SUBMITTER: Sudhahar V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11838200 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature