Copper(II) oxide (CED0006379)

Copper(II) oxide (formula CuH2O) is an exogenous solid with an average molecular weight of 81.56 g/mol. Copper(II) oxide belongs to the transition metal oxides, a subclass of transition metal organides within the inorganic compounds. It is used industrially as a biocide, filler, and catalyst (PMC10254346). This compound is found in or released from 48 recorded sources, including building and construction materials such as ceilings, floors, roofs, and sunshades; food processing activities including meat processing and the preparation of vinegar and beer fermentation; household cleaning and consumer products including bleaching agents and smoking requisites; and electrical and electronic equipment such as amplifiers, antennas, coils, and adjustable resistors. Copper(II) oxide exhibits therapeutic effects on cancer (PMC7361121) and is a treatment for COVID-19 (PMC8406542). It interacts with six recorded protein targets. Copper binds to alpha-synuclein (SNCA), initiating protein aggregation, and to the N-terminal region of amyloid-beta precursor protein (APP), promoting the generation of beta-amyloid; both interactions are believed to contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Additionally, copper inhibits sulfhydryl group enzymes including serum paraoxonase/arylesterase 1 (PON1), serum paraoxonase/lactonase 3 (PON3), mitochondrial glutathione reductase (GSR), and glucose-6-phosphate 1-dehydrogenase (G6PD), which protect the cell from free oxygen. Copper hepatotoxicity is believed to occur when copper accumulates in the nucleus after hepatocyte lysosomes become saturated, potentially causing nuclear damage through oxidative damage and lipid peroxidation.