过渡金属离子，如铜，是生物系统中不可或缺的组分。主要存在于Cu(I)和Cu(II)两种主要氧化态的铜离子，由于其固有的氧化还原活性，在抗氧化防御、神经递质的合成以及能量代谢等各种细胞过程中起着重要作用。铜稳态失衡可能导致铜代谢紊乱、癌症和神经退行性疾病的发生，突显了了解细胞环境中铜转运系统的重要性。本综述旨在全面概述铜稳态机制，并重点关注铜转运蛋白和载铜蛋白的配位化学。除了详细讨论铜伴侣蛋白和相应的金属酶外，我们还探讨了细胞系统内可能存在的低分子量金属络合物的潜在存在。此外，我们总结了由于铜缺乏或积累引起的毒性机制，包括氧化应激、信号通路、信号转导和淀粉样蛋白沉积的失调。本观点综述深入探讨了铜转运系统的复杂方面的当前知识，从生物无机化学的角度为潜在的治疗策略提供了宝贵的见解。

Transition metal ions, such as copper, are indispensable components in the biological system. Copper ions which primarily exist in two major oxidation states Cu(I) and Cu(II) play crucial roles in various cellular processes including antioxidant defense, biosynthesis of neurotransmitters, and energy metabolism, owing to their inherent redox activity. The disturbance in copper homeostasis can contribute to the development of copper metabolism disorders, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting the significance of understanding the copper trafficking system in cellular environments. This review aims to offer a comprehensive overview of copper homeostatic machinery, with an emphasis on the coordination chemistry of copper transporters and trafficking proteins. While copper chaperones and the corresponding metalloenzymes are thoroughly discussed, we also explore the potential existence of low-molecular-mass metal complexes within cellular systems. Furthermore, we summarize the toxicity mechanisms originating from copper deficiency or accumulation, which include the dysregulation of oxidative stress, signaling pathways, signal transduction, and amyloidosis. This perspective review delves into the current knowledge regarding the intricate aspects of the copper trafficking system, providing valuable insights into potential treatment strategies from the standpoint of bioinorganic chemistry.