Uniporter that mediates the transport of copper(1+) from the extracellular space to the cytoplasm, across the plasma membrane and delivers directly copper(1+) to specific chaperone such as ATOX1, via a copper(1+)- mediated transient interaction between the C-terminal domain and a copper(1+) chaperone, thus controlling intracellular copper(1+) levels (By similarity). May function in copper(1+) import from the apical membrane thus may drive intestinal copper absorption (By similarity). The copper(1+) transport mechanism is sodium-independent, saturable and of high-affinity. Also mediates the uptake of silver(1+). May function in the influx of the platinum-containing chemotherapeutic agents (By similarity). The platinum-containing chemotherapeutic agents uptake is saturable (By similarity). In vitro, mediates the transport of cadmium(2+) into cells. Also participates in the first step of copper(2+) acquisition by cells through a direct transfer of copper(2+) from copper(2+) carriers in blood, such as ALB to the N-terminal domain of SLC31A1, leading to copper(2+) reduction and probably followed by copper(1+) stabilization. In addition, functions as a redox sensor to promote angiogenesis in endothelial cells, in a copper(1+) transport independent manner, by transmitting the VEGF-induced ROS signal through a sulfenylation at Cys-189 leadin g to a subsequent disulfide bond formation between SLC31A1 and KDR. The SLC31A1-KDR complex is then co-internalized to early endosomes, driving a sustained VEGFR2 signaling (By similarity).
Mobilizes copper(1+) out of the endosomal compartment, making copper(1+) available for export out of the cells.
Subcellular locations: Cell membrane, Early endosome membrane, Recycling endosome membrane, Apical cell membrane, Late endosome membrane, Basolateral cell membrane
The localization is controlled by the intra and extra-cellular copper concentration. Under conditions of elevated extracellular copper concentrations, it is rapidly internalized by endocytosis from the plasma membrane by a clathrin- and dynamin-mediated process and degradated in order to prevent intracellular copper accumulation and to reduce the transport of the copper across the membrane. The internalized SLC31A1 is then localized in early endosomes, and, upon a low extracellular copper concentrations, it is transported back to the plasma membrane in a RAB11A-dependent recycling pathway (By similarity). Localizes to the neuronal cell body plasma membranes (By similarity). Localizes to the apical membrane in intestinal epithelial cells (By similarity). Mainly localized on the basolateral side of renal tubular cells (By similarity).