Research progress on copper overload-induced cytotoxicity

Abstract

Abstract:

Copper is an essential trace element for the human body，involved in numerous physiological processes，such as energy metabolism，antioxidant defense，neurotransmitter synthesis，and iron metabolism，where it mainly functions as a cofactor for various key enzymes. However，copper levels must be kept extremely low，and once copper homeostasis is disrupted and copper overload occurs，a series of cytotoxic effects are induced. In recent years，with the proposal of a novel form of programmed cell death termed "cuproptosis" and advances in understanding pathways including oxidative stress，DNA damage，autophagy，and apoptosis，research on copper overload-induced cytotoxicity has become a hot topic in both life sciences and clinical medicine. This review begins with the physiological roles of copper and its homeostatic regulation，providing a detailed analysis of the molecular mechanisms by which copper overload causes cytotoxicity. It reviews the roles of copper in the pathogenesis of genetic metabolic disorders，neurodegenerative diseases，and tumors，and summarizes current intervention strategies as well as future research directions，aiming to offer theoretical support and new insights for the precise regulation of copper homeostasis and the treatment of related diseases.

Key words: Copper homeostasis, Cuproptosis, Reactive oxygen species, DNA damage

CLC Number:

R114

JIANG Shoushan, SHAO Bo. Research progress on copper overload-induced cytotoxicity. [J]OCCUPATION AND HEALTH, 2026, 42(5): 700-705.

Figures/Tables 3

References 37

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