Structure, gene expression, and evolution of primate copper chaperone for superoxide dismutase

Copper chaperone for superoxide dismutase (CCS) is essential for transporting copper ion to Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD). We cloned cDNAs for six primate species' CCSs. The total number of amino acid residues of primate CCSs is 274. Similarities between primates were over 96%. Important residues for the CCS function were well conserved. A phylogenetic tree of CCSs and Cu,Zn-SODs from various organisms showed that these two proteins were derived from a common ancestor, diverging very early on during eukaryote evolution. The high frequency of nonsynonymous substitutions was found in the lineage to Old World monkeys and apes. Expression of the CCS gene in various tissues of Japanese monkey was found to be high in the liver and adrenal gland, followed by the kidney and small intestine. Such expressional pattern was similar with that of Cu,Zn-SOD gene (Fukuhara et al., 2002).

► We cloned cDNAs for primate CCSs and important residues were well conserved. ► CCSs and Cu,Zn-SODs were derived from a common ancestor. ► The high frequency of nonsynonymous substitutions was found in some primates. ► Expression of CCS gene in Japanese monkey was high in the liver and adrenal gland.