candidate: Mechanisms of low ceruplasmin levels : Gene expression genetically low ( aceruloplasminemia ) Copper levels are low in general * Malnutrition / trace metal deficiency in the food source Copper does not cross the intestinal barrier due to ATP7A deficiency ( Menkes disease ) Delivery of copper into the lumen of the ER - Golgi network is absent in hepatocytes due to absent ATP7B ( Wilson 's disease ) Copper availability does n't affect the translation of the nascent protein .