Copper is an essential cofactor for all organisms, and yet it becomes toxic if concentrations exceed a threshold maintained by evolutionarily conserved homeostatic mechanisms. How excess copper induces cell death, however, is unknown. Here, we show in human cells that copper-dependent, regulated cell death is distinct from known death mechanisms and is dependent on mitochondrial respiration. We show that copper-dependent death occurs by means of direct binding of copper to lipoylated components of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. This results in lipoylated protein aggregation and subsequent iron-sulfur cluster protein loss, which leads to proteotoxic stress and ultimately cell death. These findings may explain the need for ancient copper homeostatic mechanisms.

Copper is vital to cell function. The influx of reduced copper ions is controlled by two functionally homologous transmembrane solute carrier transporters CTR1 (encoded by SLC31A1) and CTR2 (encoded by SLC31A2). These copper transporters vary in their expression profiles and intracellular localisation patterns. CTR1 plays roles in the developing embryo as well as regulating homeostasis in the adult mammal. In contrast, the regulation, expression and function of CTR2 is poorly defined. Both are capable of transporting other divalent metal ions and are the primary transporters for platinum-based chemotherapeutic drugs such as cisplatin. This review summarises our current understanding of these two copper transporters and highlights their roles in cellular processes, embryonic development, differentiation, cancer, immunity and disease.Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

In this review, our basic and most recent understanding of copper biochemistry and molecular biology for mammals (including humans) is described. Information is provided on the nutritional biochemistry of copper, including food sources, intestinal absorption, transport, tissue distribution, and excretion, along with descriptions of copper binding proteins and other factors involved and their roles in these processes. The metabolism of copper and its importance for the functions of a roster of vital enzymes is detailed. Its potential toxicology is also addressed. Alterations in copper metabolism associated with genetic and nongenetic diseases are summarized, including potential connections to inflammation, cancer, atherosclerosis, and anemia, and the effects of genetic copper deficiency (Menkes syndrome) and copper overload (Wilson disease). Understanding these diseases suggests new ways of viewing the normal functions of copper and provides new insights into the details of copper transport and distribution in mammals.

Human SCO1 and SCO2 are paralogous genes that code for metallochaperone proteins with essential, but poorly understood, roles in copper delivery to cytochrome c oxidase (COX). Mutations in these genes produce tissue-specific COX deficiencies associated with distinct clinical phenotypes, although both are ubiquitously expressed. To investigate the molecular function of the SCO proteins, we characterized the mitochondrial copper delivery pathway in SCO1 and SCO2 patient backgrounds. Immunoblot analysis of patient cell lines showed reduced levels of the mutant proteins, resulting in a defect in COX assembly, and the appearance of a common assembly intermediate. Overexpression of the metallochaperone COX17 rescued the COX deficiency in SCO2 patient cells but not in SCO1 patient cells. Overexpression of either wild-type SCO protein in the reciprocal patient background resulted in a dominant-negative phenotype, suggesting a physical interaction between SCO1 and SCO2. Chimeric proteins, constructed from the C-terminal copper-binding and N-terminal matrix domains of the two SCO proteins failed to complement the COX deficiency in either patient background, but mapped the dominant-negative phenotype in the SCO2 background to the N-terminal domain of SCO1, the most divergent part of the two SCO proteins. Our results demonstrate that the human SCO proteins have non-overlapping, cooperative functions in mitochondrial copper delivery. Size exclusion chromatography suggests that both the proteins function as homodimers. We propose a model in which COX17 delivers copper to SCO2, which in turn transfers it directly to the CuA site at an early stage of COX assembly in a reaction that is facilitated by SCO1.Copyright 2004 Oxford University Press

Copper is a trace element, important for the function of many cellular enzymes. Copper ions can adopt distinct redox states oxidized Cu(II) or reduced (I), allowing the metal to play a pivotal role in cell physiology as a catalytic cofactor in the redox chemistry of enzymes, mitochondrial respiration, iron absorption, free radical scavenging and elastin cross-linking. If present in excess, free copper ions can cause damage to cellular components and a delicate balance between the uptake and efflux of copper ions determines the amount of cellular copper. In biological systems, copper homeostasis has been characterized at the molecular level. It is coordinated by several proteins such as glutathione, metallothionein, Cu-transporting P-type ATPases, Menkes and Wilson proteins and by cytoplasmic transport proteins called copper chaperones to ensure that it is delivered to specific subcellular compartments and thereby to copper-requiring proteins.

Loss-of-function mutations in the copper (Cu) transporter ATP7A cause Menkes disease. Menkes is an infantile, fatal, hereditary copper-deficiency disorder that is characterized by progressive neurological injury culminating in death, typically by 3 years of age. Severe copper deficiency leads to multiple pathologies, including impaired energy generation caused by cytochrome c oxidase dysfunction in the mitochondria. Here we report that the small molecule elesclomol escorted copper to the mitochondria and increased cytochrome c oxidase levels in the brain. Through this mechanism, elesclomol prevented detrimental neurodegenerative changes and improved the survival of the mottled-brindled mouse-a murine model of severe Menkes disease. Thus, elesclomol holds promise for the treatment of Menkes and associated disorders of hereditary copper deficiency.Copyright © 2020 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.

Tetrathiomolybdate (TM) is a unique anticopper drug developed for the treatment of the neurologic presentation of Wilson's disease, for which it is excellent. Since it was known copper was required for angiogenesis, TM was tested on mouse cancer models to see if it would inhibit tumor growth based on an antiangiogenic effect. TM was extremely effective in these models, but all the tumors in the models started small in size - micrometastatic in size. Later, TM was tested in numerous human cancer trials, where it showed only modest effects. However, the mouse lesson of efficacy against micro disease was forgotten - all the trials were against bulky, advanced cancer. Now, the mouse evidence is coming back to life. Three groups are curing, or having major efficacy of TM, against advanced human cancers, heretofore virtually incurable, particularly if the cancer has been reduced to no evidence of disease (NED) status by conventional therapy. In that situation, where the remaining disease is micrometastatic, TM therapy appears to be curative. We have designed and initiated a study of TM in canine osteosarcoma at the micrometastatic phase to help put these findings on a firm scientific basis. TM also has major anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting copper dependent cytokines involved in inflammation. This anti-inflammatory effect may be involved in TM's anticancer effect because cancers, as they advance, attract inflammatory cells that provide a plethora of additional proangiogenic agents. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

The copper metabolism disorder Wilson's disease was first defined in 1912. Wilson's disease can present with hepatic and neurological deficits, including dystonia and parkinsonism. Early-onset presentations in infancy and late-onset manifestations in adults older than 70 years of age are now well recognised. Direct genetic testing for ATP7B mutations are increasingly available to confirm the clinical diagnosis of Wilson's disease, and results from biochemical and genetic prevalence studies suggest that Wilson's disease might be much more common than previously estimated. Early diagnosis of Wilson's disease is crucial to ensure that patients can be started on adequate treatment, but uncertainty remains about the best possible choice of medication. Furthermore, Wilson's disease needs to be differentiated from other conditions that also present clinically with hepatolenticular degeneration or share biochemical abnormalities with Wilson's disease, such as reduced serum ceruloplasmin concentrations. Disordered copper metabolism is also associated with other neurological conditions, including a subtype of axonal neuropathy due to ATP7A mutations and the late-onset neurodegenerative disorders Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Wilson's disease is an autosomal-recessive disorder of copper metabolism caused by mutations in and associated with neurological, psychiatric, ophthalmological and hepatic manifestations. Decoppering treatments are used to prevent disease progression and reduce symptoms, but neurological outcomes remain mixed. In this article, we review the current understanding of pathogenesis, biomarkers and treatments for Wilson's disease from the neurological perspective, with a focus on recent advances. The genetic and molecular mechanisms associated with ATP7B dysfunction have been well characterised, but despite extensive efforts to identify genotype-phenotype correlations, the reason why only some patients develop neurological or psychiatric features remains unclear. We discuss pathological processes through which copper accumulation leads to neurodegeneration, such as mitochondrial dysfunction, the role of brain iron metabolism and the broader concept of selective neuronal vulnerability in Wilson's disease. Delayed diagnoses continue to be a major problem for patients with neurological presentations. We highlight limitations in our current approach to making a diagnosis and novel diagnostic biomarkers, including the potential for newborn screening programmes. We describe recent progress in developing imaging and wet (fluid) biomarkers for neurological involvement, including findings from quantitative MRI and other neuroimaging studies, and the development of a semiquantitative scoring system for assessing radiological severity. Finally, we cover the use of established and novel chelating agents, paradoxical neurological worsening, and progress developing targeted molecular and gene therapy for Wilson's disease, before discussing future directions for translational research.© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

Wilson disease (WD) is a potentially treatable, inherited disorder of copper metabolism that is characterized by the pathological accumulation of copper. WD is caused by mutations in ATP7B, which encodes a transmembrane copper-transporting ATPase, leading to impaired copper homeostasis and copper overload in the liver, brain and other organs. The clinical course of WD can vary in the type and severity of symptoms, but progressive liver disease is a common feature. Patients can also present with neurological disorders and psychiatric symptoms. WD is diagnosed using diagnostic algorithms that incorporate clinical symptoms and signs, measures of copper metabolism and DNA analysis of ATP7B. Available treatments include chelation therapy and zinc salts, which reverse copper overload by different mechanisms. Additionally, liver transplantation is indicated in selected cases. New agents, such as tetrathiomolybdate salts, are currently being investigated in clinical trials, and genetic therapies are being tested in animal models. With early diagnosis and treatment, the prognosis is good; however, an important issue is diagnosing patients before the onset of serious symptoms. Advances in screening for WD may therefore bring earlier diagnosis and improvements for patients with WD.

铜的作用在机体的生理活动中具有非常重要的地位。由于各种原因导致的铜代谢障碍引起的体内铜稳态异常会表现为铜缺乏或铜过量,从而产生一系列病理过程,最终导致细胞损害死亡、器官功能异常。铜死亡作为一种新的细胞死亡机制已被发生及证实,其发生与铜过载有关,目前在肝豆状核变性中证实了铜死亡的存在,这对于未来我们研究铜代谢障碍疾病的损伤机制及治疗有重要的意义。

Menkes disease is an X-linked disorder of copper transport characterized by progressive neurological degeneration and death in early childhood. We have isolated a candidate gene (Mc1) for Menkes disease and find qualitative or quantitative abnormalities in the mRNA in sixteen of twenty-one Menkes patients. Four patients lacking Mc1RNA showed rearrangements of the Menkes gene. The gene codes for a 1,500 amino acid protein, predicted to be a P-type cation-transporting ATPase. The gene product is most similar to a bacterial copper-transporting ATPase and additionally contains six putative metal-binding motifs at the N-terminus. The gene is transcribed in all cell types tested except liver, consistent with the expression of the Menkes defect.

Wilson disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper transport, resulting in copper accumulation and toxicity to the liver and brain. The gene (WD) has been mapped to chromosome 13 q14.3. On yeast artificial chromosomes from this region we have identified a sequence, similar to that coding for the proposed copper binding regions of the putative ATPase gene (MNK) defective in Menkes disease. We show that this sequence forms part of a P-type ATPase gene (referred to here as Wc1) that is very similar to MNK, with six putative metal binding regions similar to those found in prokaryotic heavy metal transporters. The gene, expressed in liver and kidney, lies within a 300 kb region likely to include the WD locus. Two WD patients were found to be homozygous for a seven base deletion within the coding region of Wc1. Wc1 is proposed as the gene for WD.

As we gain a better understanding of the factors affecting cancer etiology, we can design improved treatment strategies. Over the past three to four decades, there have been numerous successful efforts in recognizing important cellular proteins essential in cancer growth and therefore these proteins have been targeted for cancer treatment. However, studies have shown that targeting one or two proteins in the complex cancer cascade may not be sufficient in controlling and/or inhibiting cancer growth. Therefore, there is a need to examine features which are potentially involved in multiple facets of cancer development. In this review we discuss the targeting of the elevated copper (both in serum and tumor) and oxidative stress levels in cancer with the aid of a copper chelator d-penicillamine (d-pen) for potential cancer treatment. Numerous studies in the literature have reported that both the serum and tumor copper levels are elevated in a variety of malignancies, including both solid tumor and blood cancer. Further, the elevated copper levels have been shown to be directly correlated to cancer progression. Enhanced levels of intrinsic oxidative stress has been shown in variety of tumors, possibly due to the combination of factors such as elevated active metabolism, mitochondrial mutation, cytokines, and inflammation. The cancer cells under sustained ROS stress tend to heavily utilize adaptation mechanisms and may exhaust cellular ROS-buffering capacity. Therefore, the elevated copper levels and increased oxidative stress in cancer cells provide for a prospect of selective cancer treatment.

Copper levels are elevated in cancer patients compared to normal subjects. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between copper and hematological malignancies.84 patients with hematological diseases were studied, along with 50 healthy individuals. Copper was measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The patients were classified to 2 homogeneous groups, acute and chronic hematological neoplasms, respectively. For the patients with acute hematological malignancies, relapse and remission were investigated in relation to serum copper levels. For chronic hematological neoplasms, serum copper was connected either with stable or progressive disease. Zeta-chain-associated protein kinase 70 (ZAP70) and CD38 expression, along with the unmutated VH immunoglobulin genes (IgVH) status were also determined for the 22 chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients.54 patients with relapse or progressive disease had elevated copper levels (mean value 1.8 mg/l), whereas 30 patients either in remission or in stable disease had normal copper levels (mean value 1.01 mg/l) (normal range 0.8-1.3mg/l).Hence, our study indicates that serum elevated copper levels are associated with hematological malignancies either in relapse or in disease progression, whereas normal copper levels are linked with hematological neoplasms in remission or in stable disease. Furthermore, we report for the first time an association between high serum copper levels and several adverse prognostic markers in CLL, such as increased expression of ZAP70 and CD38, along with elevated percentage of unmutated IgVH.Copyright © 2012 European Federation of Internal Medicine. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Lipoic acid synthase (LIAS) is an iron-sulfur cluster mitochondrial enzyme which catalyzes the final step in the de novo pathway for the biosynthesis of lipoic acid, a potent antioxidant. Recently there has been significant interest in its role in metabolic diseases and its deficiency in LIAS expression has been linked to conditions such as diabetes, atherosclerosis and neonatal-onset epilepsy, suggesting a strong inverse correlation between LIAS reduction and disease status. In this study we use a bioinformatics approach to predict its structure, which would be helpful to understanding its role. A homology model for LIAS protein was generated using X-ray crystallographic structure of Thermosynechococcus elongatus BP-1 (PDB ID: 4U0P). The predicted structure has 93% of the residues in the most favour region of Ramachandran plot. The active site of LIAS protein was mapped and docked with S-Adenosyl Methionine (SAM) using GOLD software. The LIAS-SAM complex was further refined using molecular dynamics simulation within the subsite 1 and subsite 3 of the active site. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report a reliable homology model of LIAS protein. This study will facilitate a better understanding mode of action of the enzyme-substrate complex for future studies in designing drugs that can target LIAS protein.Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIFs) control adaptation to low oxygen environments by activating genes involved in metabolism, angiogenesis, and redox homeostasis. The finding that HIFs are also regulated by small molecule metabolites highlights the need to understand the complexity of their cellular regulation. Here we use a forward genetic screen in near-haploid human cells to identify genes that stabilize HIFs under aerobic conditions. We identify two mitochondrial genes, oxoglutarate dehydrogenase (OGDH) and lipoic acid synthase (LIAS), which when mutated stabilize HIF1α in a non-hydroxylated form. Disruption of OGDH complex activity in OGDH or LIAS mutants promotes L-2-hydroxyglutarate formation, which inhibits the activity of the HIFα prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs) and TET 2-oxoglutarate dependent dioxygenases. We also find that PHD activity is decreased in patients with homozygous germline mutations in lipoic acid synthesis, leading to HIF1 activation. Thus, mutations affecting OGDHC activity may have broad implications for epigenetic regulation and tumorigenesis.Copyright © 2016 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

An iTRAQ-based tandem mass spectrometry approach was employed to relatively quantify proteins in the membrane proteome of eleven gastric cancer cell lines relative to a denominator non-cancer gastric epithelial cell line HFE145. Of the 882 proteins detected, 57 proteins were found to be upregulated with > 1.3-fold change in at least 6 of the 11 cell lines. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that these proteins are significantly associated with cancer, cell growth and proliferation, death, survival and cell movement. The catalogue of membrane proteins presented that are potential regulators/effectors of gastric cancer progression has implications in cancer therapy. DLAT, a subunit of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, was selected as a candidate protein for further studies as its function in gastric cancer has yet to be established. SiRNA studies supported a role of DLAT in gastric cancer cell proliferation and carbohydrate metabolism, reprogramming of which is a hallmark of cancer. Our study contributes to recent interest and discussion in cancer energetics and related phenomena such as the Warburg and Reverse Warburg effects. Future mechanistic studies should lead to the elucidation of the mode of action of DLAT in human gastric cancer and establish DLAT as a viable drug target.

Inhibition of neocortical beta-amyloid (Abeta) accumulation may be essential in an effective therapeutic intervention for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Cu and Zn are enriched in Abeta deposits in AD, which are solubilized by Cu/Zn-selective chelators in vitro. Here we report a 49% decrease in brain Abeta deposition (-375 microg/g wet weight, p = 0.0001) in a blinded study of APP2576 transgenic mice treated orally for 9 weeks with clioquinol, an antibiotic and bioavailable Cu/Zn chelator. This was accompanied by a modest increase in soluble Abeta (1.45% of total cerebral Abeta); APP, synaptophysin, and GFAP levels were unaffected. General health and body weight parameters were significantly more stable in the treated animals. These results support targeting the interactions of Cu and Zn with Abeta as a novel therapy for the prevention and treatment of AD.

As a disease-modifying approach for Alzheimer's disease (AD), clioquinol (CQ) targets beta-amyloid (Abeta) reactions with synaptic Zn and Cu yet promotes metal uptake. Here we characterize the second-generation 8-hydroxy quinoline analog PBT2, which also targets metal-induced aggregation of Abeta, but is more effective as a Zn/Cu ionophore and has greater blood-brain barrier permeability. Given orally to two types of amyloid-bearing transgenic mouse models of AD, PBT2 outperformed CQ by markedly decreasing soluble interstitial brain Abeta within hours and improving cognitive performance to exceed that of normal littermate controls within days. Nontransgenic mice were unaffected by PBT2. The current data demonstrate that ionophore activity, inhibition of in vitro metal-mediated Abeta reactions, and blood-brain barrier permeability are indices that predict a potential disease-modifying drug for AD. The speed of recovery of the animals underscores the acutely reversible nature of the cognitive deficits associated with transgenic models of AD.

Preclinical and in vitro studies have determined that copper is an important cofactor for angiogenesis. Tetrathiomolybdate (TM) was developed as an effective anticopper therapy for the initial treatment of Wilson's disease, an autosomal recessive disorder that leads to abnormal copper accumulation. Given the potency and uniqueness of the anticopper action of TM and its lack of toxicity, we hypothesized that TM would be a suitable agent to achieve and maintain mild copper deficiency to impair neovascularization in metastatic solid tumors. Following preclinical work that showed efficacy for this anticopper approach in mouse tumor models, we carried out a Phase I clinical trial in 18 patients with metastatic cancer who were enrolled at three dose levels of oral TM (90, 105, and 120 mg/day) administered in six divided doses with and in-between meals. Serum ceruloplasmin (Cp) was used as a surrogate marker for total body copper. Because anemia is the first clinical sign of copper deficiency, the goal of the study was to reduce Cp to 20% of baseline value without reducing hematocrit below 80% of baseline. Cp is a reliable and sensitive measure of copper status, and TM was nontoxic when Cp was reduced to 15-20% of baseline. The level III dose of TM (120 mg/ day) was effective in reaching the target Cp without added toxicity. TM-induced mild copper deficiency achieved stable disease in five of six patients who were copper deficient at the target range for at least 90 days.

Tetrathiomolybdate (TM), a copper-lowering agent, has been shown in preclinical murine tumor models to be antiangiogenic. We evaluated the antitumor activity of TM in patients with advanced kidney cancer in a Phase II trial.Fifteen patients with advanced kidney cancer were eligible to participate in this trial. TM was initiated p.o. at 40 mg three times a day with meals and 60 mg at bedtime to deplete copper. A target serum ceruloplasmin (CP) level of 5-15 mg/dl was defined as copper depletion. Doses of TM were reduced for grade 3-4 toxicity and to maintain a CP level in the target range. Once copper depletion was attained, patients underwent baseline tumor measurements and then again every 12 weeks for response assessment. Patients not exhibiting progressive disease at 12 weeks after copper depletion continued on treatment. Serum levels of Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were assayed pretreatment and at various time points on treatment. Dynamic contrast enhanced-magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) was performed on selected patients in an attempt to assess changes in tumor vascularity.All of the patients rapidly became copper depleted. Thirteen patients were evaluable for response. No patient had a complete response or PR. Four patients (31%) had stable disease for at least 6 months during copper depletion (median, 34.5 weeks). TM was well tolerated, with dose reductions most commonly occurring for grade 3-4 granulocytopenia of short duration not associated with febrile episodes. Serum levels of IL-6, IL-8, VEGF, and bFGF did not correlate with clinical activity. Serial DCE-MRI was performed only in four patients, and a decrease in vascularity seemed to correlate with necrosis of a tumor mass associated with tumor growth.TM is well tolerated and consistently depletes copper as measured by the serum CP level. Clinical activity was limited to stable disease for a median of 34.5 weeks in this Phase II trial in patients with advanced kidney cancer. Serum levels of proangiogenic factors IL-6, IL-8, VEGF, and bFGF may correlate with copper depletion but not with disease stability in this small cohort. TM may have a role in the treatment of kidney cancer in combination with other antiangiogenic therapies.

Treatment of advanced breast cancer remains challenging. Copper and some of the copper-dependent proteins are emerging therapeutic targets because they are essential for cell proliferation and survival, and have been shown to stimulate angiogenesis and metastasis. Here, we show that DCAC50, a recently developed small-molecule inhibitor of the intracellular copper chaperones, ATOX1 and CCS, reduces cell proliferation and elevates oxidative stress, triggering apoptosis in a panel of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. Inhibition of ATOX1 activity with DCAC50 disrupts copper homeostasis, leading to increased copper levels, altered spatial copper redistribution, and accumulation of ATP7B to the cellular perinuclear region. The extent and impact of this disruption to copper homeostasis vary across cell lines and correlate with cellular baseline copper and glutathione levels. Ultimately, treatment with DCAC50 attenuates tumor growth and suppresses angiogenesis in a xenograft mouse model, and prevents endothelial cell network formation Co-treatment with paclitaxel and DCAC50 enhances cytotoxicity in TNBC and results in favorable dose reduction of both drugs. These data demonstrate that inhibition of intracellular copper transport targets tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment, and is a promising approach to treat breast cancer.©2019 American Association for Cancer Research.

Formation of blood vessels, or angiogenesis, is crucial to cancer progression. Thus, inhibiting angiogenesis can limit the growth and spread of tumors. The natural polyphenol catechin has moderate anti-tumor activity and interacts with copper, which is essential for angiogenesis. Catechin is easily metabolized in the body and this limits its clinical application. We have recently shown that conjugation of catechin with dextran (Dextran-Catechin) improves its serum stability, and exhibits potent antitumor activity against neuroblastoma by targeting copper homeostasis. Herein, we investigated the antiangiogenic activity of Dextran-Catechin and its mechanism. We found that Dextran-Catechin displayed potent antiangiogenic activity in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrated Dextran-Catechin generates reactive oxygen species which in turns disrupts copper homeostasis by depleting the copper importer CTR-1 and copper trafficking ATOX-1 protein. Mechanistically, we showed that disrupting copper homeostasis by knockdown of either CTR-1 or ATOX-1 protein can inhibit angiogenesis in endothelial cells. This data strongly suggests the Dextran-Catechin potent antiangiogenic activity is mediated by disrupting copper homeostasis. Thus, compounds such as Dextran-Catechin that affects both tumor growth and angiogenesis could lead the way for development of new drugs against high copper levels tumors.