Ceruloplasmin

Ceruloplasmin, 132kDa, is a serum ferroxidase that contains greater than 95% of the copper found in plasma. This protein is a member of the multicopper oxidase family, an evolutionarily conserved group of proteins that utilize copper to couple substrate oxidation with the fourelectron reduction of oxygen to water. Despite the need for copper in ceruloplasmin function, this protein plays no essential role in the transport or metabolism of this metal. Serum ceruloplasmin level is reduced in Wilson's disease, malnutrition nephrotic syndrome and increased in pregnancy, oestrogen containing contraceptives, acute infection, some types of chronic liver disease, malignancy, rheumatoid arthritis.