Ceruloplasmin

A copper-containing alpha globulin in blood plasma that contains type 1, type 2, and type 3 copper cen- ters in which the type 2 and type 3 centers are near each other, constituting a trinuclear copper cluster. It may play a part in red blood cell production and oxygen reduction.

Typically, 50% of the daily copper intake is absorbed in theGI tract and transported to the liver from where it is transported to the peripheral tissue bound to ceruloplasmin, acopper-binding glycoprotein. A smaller amount of copper is also bound to albumin. Excess copper is mainly excreted in bile into the gut and then the faeces.
Ceruloplasmin (ferroxidase I) and ferroxidase II, two copper-based enzymes, can oxidise ferrous iron to ferric iron. Ferric iron can then be transported with the help of transferrin,for example, to form red blood cells. Furthermore, a variety of copper-dependent enzymes, such as cytochrome c and superoxide dismutase, work as antioxidants and are involved in the reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS).
Cancer progression has been linked to increased ceruloplasmin and copper levels in a variety of tissues.Copper deficiency has been considered as an anticancer strategy, but several clinical studies have not been encouraging.