Molecular mechanisms of copper homeostasis in yeast

Copper ions play critical roles as electron transfer intermediates in various redox reactions. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has served as a valuable model to study copper metabolism in eukaryotic cells. The systems for copper homeostasis; including the uptake, cytoplasmic trafficking, and metabolism in intracellular organelles, detoxification, and regulation of these systems have been characterized. Most of the molecular components for copper metabolism identified in yeast are functionally and structurally conserved in mammals. These findings have underscored the importance of evolving delicate mechanisms to utilize copper. Studies on copper metabolism in yeast certainly have opened up interesting and important research avenues that have shed light on the molecular details of copper metabolism and the physiological roles of copper.