Ancient conserved domain protein-1 binds copper and modifies its retention in cells

The ancient conserved domain protein (ACDP) family are a recently identified group of homologous mammalian proteins. Some family members have been suggested to have roles in the metabolism of metals. We investigated the capacity of ACDP-1 to bind metals. Using immobilised metal affinity chromatography and isothermal titration calorimetry we determined that ACDP-1 is a high affinity copper binding protein able to bind copper at nanomolar concentrations. In addition the promoter of ACDP-1 contains metal response elements and the cellular expression of ACDP-1 alters cellular retention of copper. However, cellular expression of ACDP-1 does not alter cellular resistance to the toxicity of copper or other metals. As our findings place the subcellular localisation of ACDP-1 in the cytoplasm it is possible that ACDP-1 represent a novel copper chaperone or storage protein.