Solute carrier family 31 member 2 (SLC31A2)

Solute carrier family 31 member 2 (SLC31A2), also known as copper transporter 2 (CTR2), is a membrane protein of the SLC (solute carrier) family involved in the regulation of intracellular copper homeostasis. Unlike its paralog CTR1 (SLC31A1), CTR2 primarily localizes to intracellular membranes—late endosomes, lysosomes, and sometimes the plasma membrane. It functions as a probable low-affinity copper importer in vitro, although its principal role in vivo appears to be the mobilization of copper from endosomal and lysosomal stores into the cytosol, particularly under high copper conditions[1][3][4][6]. CTR2 also regulates the truncated form of CTR1 and impacts the trafficking and bioavailability of both copper and cisplatin, thereby influencing cellular sensitivity and resistance to platinum-based chemotherapeutics[3][4][7]. In clinical contexts, SLC31A2 has been proposed as a prognostic biomarker in clear cell renal cell carcinoma and is implicated in chemoresistance by modulating drug uptake and copper homeostasis[7].

Other names

Copper transporter 2CTR2COPT2hCTR2Solute carrier family 31 (copper transporter), member 2Probable low affinity copper uptake protein 2

Modulation of intracellular copper levels influences sensitivity and resistance to platinum-based chemotherapeutics by altering their cellular accumulation