Current trends on the role of Copper on Conformational Polymorphism of DNA: Relevance to Human Health

Copper is one of the most prevalent biological transition metals, and plays a fundamental role in the biochemistry of the human nervous system. Without its catalytic presence, in trace or ultra trace amounts, many biochemical reactions would not take place. Copper becomes potentially toxic to cells when its concentration surpasses normal levels, because at higher concentrations, it generates free radicals (ROS). ROS damages DNA by breaking the DNA strands or modifying the bases and/or deoxyribose sugars, leading to conformational changes and stability of DNA. These conformational changes in DNA may lead to DNA stability in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. In this review, we have focused on copper induced conformational change in DNA and DNA damage, and its implications on Alzheimer's disease.