Kinetics and thermodynamics of metal binding to the N-terminus of a human copper transporter, hCTR1

Abstract

The N-terminus of hCTR1 was demonstrated to bind three Cu⁺ ions tightly (log K = 14.92) and reversibly via its Met-rich motifs. Ag⁺ binds to the protein with the same stoichiometry but much lower affinities than Cu⁺. The protein also coordinates two Cu²⁺ ions through its ATCUN motif and His-rich motif with lower affinity. This study provides an insight into the selectivity of the transporter.