Define Functions of Copper?

Copper serves as a co-factor, as well as, an allosteric component of enzymes. In many enzymes copper functions as an intermediate in electrno transfer. The list of copper -containing enzymes with their role is given in Table.

Table: Copper-containing enzymes

After going through the functions enumerated in Table, you would have realized that copper plays an important function in processes fundamental to human health. Thus, copper plays a role in bone formation and integrity of connective tissue in the heart and vascular system. It is required for the normal functioning of central nervous system and cardiovascular system. It is involved in iron metabolism. Recent evidence suggests a role for copper in immune function. Some indices of immune function have been shown to decline with deficiency but were not reversed by increased copper intake. In addition to the above, copper may have other roles, which may not involve enzymes. Copper appears to influence gene expression through binding to specific transcription factors. In some cases, copper has been shown to influence transcription by binding to transcription factor, which in turn binds to promoter sequence of DNA.