Role of the copper-binding domain in the copper transport function of ATP7B, the P-type ATPase defective in Wilson disease

We have analyzed the functional effect of site directed mutations and deletions in the copper-binding domain of ATP7B (the copper transporting P-type ATPase defective in Wilson disease) using a yeast complementation assay. We have shown that the sixth copper-binding motif alone is sufficient, but not essential, for normal ATP7B function. The N-terminal two or three copper-binding motifs alone are not sufficient for ATP7B function. The first two or three N-terminal motifs of the copper-binding domain are not equivalent to, and cannot replace, the C-terminal motifs when placed in the same sequence position with respect to the transmembrane channel. From our data, we propose that the copper-binding motifs closest to the channel are required for the copper-transport function of ATP7B. We propose that cooperative copper binding to the copper-binding domain of ATP7B is not critical for copper transport function, but that cooperative copper binding involving the N-terminal two or three copper-binding motifs may be involved in initiating copper-dependent intracellular trafficking. Our data also suggest a functional difference between the copper-binding domains of ATP7A and ATP7B.