Antioxidant Protein 1 Homolog (ATOX1)

ATOX1 encodes a copper chaperone that plays a role in copper homeostasis by binding and transporting cytosolic copper to ATPase proteins in the trans-Golgi network for later incorporation to the ceruloplasmin. This protein also functions as an antioxidant against superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, and therefore, may play a significant role in cancer carcinogenesis. Because of its cytogenetic location, this gene represents a candidate gene for 5q-syndrome.The deduced 68-amino acid ATOX1 protein shares 47% identity with yeast Atx1, including conservation of the copper-binding domain and the lysine-rich C terminus. Northern blot analysis showed that ATOX1 was abundantly and ubiquitously expressed as a 0.5-kb transcript. Southern blot analysis showed that the ATOX1 gene exists as a single copy in the haploid genome.