Functional studies on the Wilson copper P-Type ATPase and toxic milk mouse mutant

The Wilson protein (WND; ATP7B) is an essential component of copper homeostasis. Mutations in the <i>ATP7B</i> gene result in Wilson disease, which is characterised by hepatotoxicity and neurological disturbances. In this paper, we provide the first direct biochemical evidence that the WND protein functions as a copper-translocating P-type ATPase in mammalian cells. Importantly, we have shown that the mutation of the conserved Met1386 to Val, in the <i>Atp7B</i> for the mouse model of Wilson disease, toxic milk (tx), caused a loss of Cu-translocating activity. These investigations provide strong evidence that the toxic milk mouse is a valid model for Wilson disease and demonstrate a link between the loss of catalytic function of WND and the Wilson disease phenotype.<br />