Expression and copper binding properties of the N-terminal domain of copper P-type ATPases of African trypanosomes.

•Trypanosoma genomes code for copper-containing and -transporting proteins.•Cu+ transporting P1B-1 ATPase N-terminal metal binding domain was expressed.•NCu-APTase bound copper in vivo and in vitro.•Native P-type Cu-ATPase was detected in trypanosome lysates.•Copper ATPase localised to subcellular vesicles in bloodstream form T. b. brucei.