Institute of Information Science, Academia Sinica

Copper is vital for numerous biochemical processes but can be toxic if not properly regulated. Copper transporter 1 (CTR1) is essential for copper uptake and regulation. This study investigates how CTR1 modulates its stoichiometry (oligomeric state) in response to fluctuating copper levels. Using single-molecule localization microscopy and single-molecule neighbor density assays, we observed that copper induces de-trimerization of wild-type CTR1 at early endocytic domains, a response blocked in the endocytosis-deficient CTR1 (M150L) mutant. This de-trimerization rapidly halts copper uptake and prevents copper overload. These findings highlight the dynamic structural adjustments of CTR1 in copper homeostasis.

Tai-Yen earned his B.S. (2002) and M.S. (2004) in Chemistry from National Tsing Hua University and a Ph.D. (2010) from Texas A&M University before pursuing a postdoctoral associate (2011-2016) at Cornell University.  Tai-Yen started his independent career as an assistant professor of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Houston in 2016. His research focuses on the metal homeostasis in healthy and diseased neurons using single-molecule techniques. In particular, his group is interested in the dynamics and mechanisms of protein machinery involved in Cu trafficking within/between neurons. His research goal is to understand how metals affect neuronal signaling and cause neurodegenerative diseases. His work has been recognized with the Maximizing Investigators' Research Award for Early Stage Investigators and a Robert A. Welch Foundation grant. Besides research, Tai-Yen enjoys and enthusiastically participates in multiple educational activities. In recognition of his classroom teaching and laboratory mentorship, Tai-Yen received the College's highly competitive John C. Butler Excellence in Teaching Award in 2021.
https://uh.edu/nsm/chemistry/people/profiles/tai-yen-chen/