Syntheses Of Ctr1-mCherry2 and Atox1-PAFGP Fusion Proteins Through Molecular Cloning

Copper is one of the essential metals in the human body; it is required for the production of ATP in the mitochondria, clearance of toxic-free radicals from the cell and production of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Many studies have shown that the imbalance in copper homeostasis impacts the onset or the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease. However, the mechanisms are largely unknown. CTR1 is “the primary”/”a major” transporter responsible for moving copper from cellular endosomes into the cytosol. CTR1 is likely a homotrimer, but the mechanisms underlying its interactions with other proteins are still unclear. This project sought to reveal these events. In order to visualize these protein-protein interactions and to study the mechanisms, Ctr1 and a protein with which it interacts, another copper transporter protein ATOX1, were fused with fluorescent proteins mCherry2 and PAGFP, respectively, enabling observers to track the proteins’ actions.