Copper(I) ion (Cu+)

Copper(I) ion, also known as the cuprous ion, is a monovalent metal cation that serves as an essential micronutrient and a critical cofactor for a variety of cuproenzymes, including cytochrome c oxidase and superoxide dismutase (PubChem CID 159561). It plays a fundamental role in cellular respiration, antioxidant defense, and iron metabolism by cycling between its Cu+ and Cu2+ oxidation states to facilitate electron transfer (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements). While essential, free copper is highly toxic due to its ability to generate reactive oxygen species, necessitating tight regulation by chaperones and transporters like ATP7A and ATP7B (UniProt). Clinical interest in Copper(I) centers on Wilson's disease, where copper accumulates to toxic levels, and emerging cancer therapies that utilize copper ionophores to trigger a unique form of regulated cell death called cuproptosis (Tsvetkov et al., Science 2022). Therapeutic interventions primarily focus on chelation therapy using agents like penicillamine to remove excess copper or the modulation of copper levels to disrupt tumor growth and signaling (StatPearls).

Other names

Cuprous ionCopper(1+)Cu(I)Monovalent copper

Chelation of copper ions to facilitate urinary or biliary excretion; induction of metallothionein to sequester copper; copper ionophore activity to increase intracellular copper and induce cuproptosis.