Biocidal Mechanisms of Metallic Copper Surfaces - Use of Biocidal Surfaces for Reduction of Healthcare Acquired Infections - page 103

ComC Copper-induced outer membrane component
ComR Copper-induced repressor
CopA Copper exporter P-type ATPase
CopB Cytoplasmic copper and delivers it to the P 1B -type ATPase
CopY Copper-responsive repressor
CopZ Cytoplasmic copper binding chaperone
CueP Periplasmic copper binding protein
CueR Copper response cytoplasmic MerR-family activator/repressor
CusCFBA Copper/Silver transporting efflux system
CusRS Periplasmic copper two-component system sensor

CycA D -cycloserine uptake permease

DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid

EDTA Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid

FabR Repressor for unsaturated fatty acids biosynthesis

FAME Fatty acid methyl esters

GSH Glutathione

GSSG Glutathione disulfide

HAI Healthcare-acquired infections

ICP-MS Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

L Lipid

L ￿ Lipid radical

LO ￿

Lipid alkoyl radicals

LOO ￿ Peroxyl radical

MDA Malondialdehyde

MerR Mercury resistance repressor

Pco Plasmid-borne copper resistance

PMF Proton motive force

ROS Reactive oxygen species

TBARS Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances

TetR Tetracycline repressor protein

Tris Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane

VBNC Viable-But-Not-Culturable

6.1 The Biocidal History of Copper

The word “copper” comes from the Late Latin word cuprum , which in turn
originates from the Latin word cyprium aes (Cyprus metal) - name of the Medi-
terranean island of Cyprus, known to have one of the largest copper mines.
Nevertheless, copper mining activity is more ancient than the origin of the
name: copper was one of the first metals used by human civilizations, probably
because it was easily extracted, available in great quantities and very malleable
[ 74 ]. Copper belongs to the seven Metals of Antiquity: Gold, Copper, Silver,
Lead, Tin, Iron (smelted), and Mercury. The discovery and usage of each of these
metals, along with the respective alloys, promoting the development of more