Zinc and Copper Metabolism, Homeostasis, and Cuproptosis
This community investigates the biological roles of zinc and copper, focusing on how these metals are absorbed, transported, and regulated within the body, and how their imbalance drives disease states such as cancer, neurodegeneration, and metabolic disorders.
The research centers on the mechanisms of zinc and copper homeostasis, including the function of specific transporters and the regulation of serum levels. A significant portion of the work examines the link between trace element status and oxidative stress, cell death, and specific pathologies like Wilson disease, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. Recent studies highlight cuproptosis, a form of copper-dependent cell death, as a key mechanism in cancer biology and a potential therapeutic target. The community also explores the clinical implications of zinc supplementation and deficiency, particularly in pediatric populations and patients with chronic conditions, while distinguishing between essential nutritional roles and toxicological limits.
The largest share of the community's output is found in zinc research, accounting for 3.9% of all zinc research, and 11,679 papers here; copper research follows closely with 3.7% of all copper research and 11,894 papers.
The community comprises 31,378 papers, published most frequently in Biological Trace Element Research, the Journal of Biological Chemistry, and The Journal of Nutrition.
Recent work continues to focus on the therapeutic exploitation of cuproptosis in cancer, the development of zinc-chelated peptides for enhanced bioavailability, and the role of copper homeostasis in immune tolerance and inflammatory diseases.