Copper Induces Protein Aggregation, a Toxic Process Compensated by Molecular Chaperones.

ABSTRACT: Copper is well known for its antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Under aerobic conditions, copper toxicity relies in part on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), especially in the periplasmic compartment. However, copper is significantly more toxic under anaerobic conditions, in which ROS cannot be produced. This toxicity has been proposed to arise from the inactivation of proteins through mismetallations. Here, using the bacterium Escherichia coli, we discovered that copper treatment under anaerobic conditions leads to a significant increase in protein aggregation. In vitro experiments using E. coli lysates and tightly controlled redox conditions confirmed that treatment with Cu⁺ under anaerobic conditions leads to severe ROS-independent protein aggregati

SUBMITTER: Zuily L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9040851 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature