Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Environment Protection, University of Silesia, Jagiellońska 28, 40-032, Katowice, Poland,
Cell Biol Toxicol. 2013 Dec;29(6):397-405. doi: 10.1007/s10565-013-9262-1. Epub 2013 Sep 27.
Copper is a metallic element that is crucial for cell metabolism; however, in extended concentrations, it is toxic for all living organisms. The dual nature of copper has forced organisms, including bacteria, to keep a tight hold on cellular copper content. This challenge has led to the evolution of complex mechanisms that on one hand enable them to deliver the essential element and on the other to protect cells against its toxicity. Such mechanisms have been found in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. In bacteria a number of different systems such as extra- and intracellular sequestration, enzymatic detoxification, and metal removal from the cell enabling them to survive in the presence of high concentration of copper have been identified. Gram-negative bacteria, due to their additional compartment, need to deal with both cytoplasmic and periplasmic copper. Therefore, these bacteria have evolved intricate and precisely regulated systems which interact with each other. In this review the active mechanisms of copper resistance at their molecular level are discussed.
铜是一种对细胞代谢至关重要的金属元素；然而，在高浓度下，它对所有生物都是有毒的。铜的这种双重性质迫使包括细菌在内的生物体严格控制细胞内的铜含量。这一挑战促使生物体进化出了复杂的机制，一方面使它们能够输送必需的元素，另一方面又能保护细胞免受其毒性的影响。这种机制在真核生物和原核生物中都有发现。在细菌中，已经确定了许多不同的系统，如细胞内外的隔离、酶解毒和从细胞中去除金属，使它们能够在高浓度铜的存在下存活。革兰氏阴性菌由于其额外的隔室，需要处理细胞质和周质中的铜。因此，这些细菌进化出了相互作用的复杂而精确调节的系统。在这篇综述中，讨论了铜抗性在分子水平上的主动机制。
