PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - YUKIO SUGIURA AU - HISASHI TANAKA TI - Evidence for a Ternary Complex Containing Albumin, Copper, and Penicillamine DP - 1972 Mar 01 TA - Molecular Pharmacology PG - 249--255 VI - 8 IP - 2 4099 - http://molpharm.aspetjournals.org/content/8/2/249.short 4100 - http://molpharm.aspetjournals.org/content/8/2/249.full SO - Mol Pharmacol1972 Mar 01; 8 AB - The interaction between penicillamine and albumin-bound copper has been investigated. The presence of a ternary complex involving albumin, copper and penicillamine as an intermediate step in the course of the removal of copper has been demonstrated by gel filtration technique with [3H]penicillamine and 64Cu. Copper is presumed to exist in the complex in both the cupric and cuprous states. These findings suggest a mechanism for the migration of copper from the albumin—copper(II) complex to penicillamine, and explain the unique reductive chelating action of penicillamine in the treatment of Wilson's disease.