Structure of the Wilson disease copper transporter ATP7B.
Bitter, R.M., Oh, S., Deng, Z., Rahman, S., Hite, R.K., Yuan, P.(2022) Sci Adv 8: eabl5508-eabl5508
- PubMed: 35245129 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abl5508
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
7SI3, 7SI6, 7SI7 - PubMed Abstract: 
ATP7A and ATP7B, two homologous copper-transporting P1B-type ATPases, play crucial roles in cellular copper homeostasis, and mutations cause Menkes and Wilson diseases, respectively. ATP7A/B contains a P-type ATPase core consisting of a membrane transport domain and three cytoplasmic domains, the A, P, and N domains, and a unique amino terminus comprising six consecutive metal-binding domains. Here, we present a cryo-electron microscopy structure of frog ATP7B in a copper-free state. Interacting with both the A and P domains, the metal-binding domains are poised to exert copper-dependent regulation of ATP hydrolysis coupled to transmembrane copper transport. A ring of negatively charged residues lines the cytoplasmic copper entrance that is presumably gated by a conserved basic residue sitting at the center. Within the membrane, a network of copper-coordinating ligands delineates a stepwise copper transport pathway. This work provides the first glimpse into the structure and function of ATP7 proteins and facilitates understanding of disease mechanisms and development of rational therapies.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.