CutC is induced late during copper exposure and can modify intracellular copper content in Enterococcus faecalis

► The expression of cutC is up-regulated in a late fashion under copper exposure. ► The intracellular concentration of copper was increased 30% in a null mutant for CutC. ► The induction of cutC and the increment in copper concentration are synchronized. ► Enterococcus faecalis is the first reported organism containing a cop operon and an active member of the Cut protein family.