Microsomal reduction of low-molecular-weight Fe3+ chelates and ferritin: enhancement by adriamycin, paraquat, menadione, and anthraquinone 2-sulfonate and inhibition by oxygen

Reduction of iron is important in promoting xenobiotic-enhanced, microsomal lipid peroxidation, yet there is little evidence that Fe3+ chelates that promote lipid peroxidation can be reduced by the microsomal system. We have shown that rat liver microsomes catalyse NADPH-dependent reduction of Fe3+ without chelator, as well as Fe3+(ADP), Fe3+(ATP), Fe3+(citrate), Fe3+(EDTA), and ferrioxamine in N2. The NADPH oxidation that accompanied Fe3+ reduction was inhibited by CO for all chelates, except Fe3+ (EDTA). This implies that, except for Fe3+ (EDTA), cytochrome P450 was involved in reduction of the complexes. Adriamycin, paraquat, and anthraquinone 2-sulfonate (AQS) enhanced reduction of all the Fe3+ chelates, whereas menadione enhanced reduction only of Fe3+(ADP) and Fe3+(citrate). All the compounds enhanced oxidation of NADPH in the presence or absence of iron. This was not inhibited by CO, and the results are compatible with Fe3+ reduction occurring via the xenobiotic radicals produced by cytochrome P450 reductase. Microsomal reduction of the xenobiotics, except menadione, enabled the reduction and release of iron from ferritin. Fe3+ chelate reduction, both with and without xenobiotic, was inhibited by O2, although it still proceeded in air at 10-20% of the rate in N2. Iron-dependent lipid peroxidation was promoted by ADP and ATP, inhibited 50% by citrate, and completely inhibited by EDTA and desferrioxamine. Of the xenobiotics, only Adriamycin enhanced microsomal lipid peroxidation. These results indicate that the effects of chelators and xenobiotics on Fe3+ reduction do not correlate with lipid peroxidation and, although reduction is necessary, there must be other factors involved.     

Effects of deferrioxamine on iron-catalyzed lipid peroxidation.

The kinetics of iron binding by deferrioxamine B mesylate and the ramifications of this process upon iron-catalyzed lipid peroxidation were assessed. The relative rates of Fe(III) binding by deferrioxamine varied for the chelators tested as follows: ADP greater than AMP greater than citrate greater than histidine greater than EDTA. The addition of a fivefold molar excess of deferrioxamine to that of Fe(III) did not result in complete binding (within 10 min) for any of the Fe(III) chelates tested except ADP:Fe(III). The rates of Fe(III) binding by deferrioxamine were greater at lower pH and when the competing chelator concentration was high in relationship to iron. The relatively slow binding of Fe(III) by deferrioxamine also affected lipid peroxidation, an iron-dependent process. The addition of deferrioxamine to an ascorbate- and ADP:Fe(III)-dependent lipid peroxidation system resulted in a time-dependent inhibition or stimulation of malondialdehyde formation (i.e., lipid peroxidation), depending on the ratio of deferrioxamine to iron. Converse to Fe(III), the rates of Fe(II) binding by deferrioxamine from the chelators tested above were rapid and complete (within 1 min), and resulted in the oxidation of Fe(II) to Fe(III). Lipid peroxidation dependent on Fe(II) autoxidation was stimulated by the addition of deferrioxamine. Malondialdehyde formation in this system was inhibited by the addition of catalase, and a similar extent of lipid peroxidation was achieved by substituting hydrogen peroxide for deferrioxamine. Collectively, these results suggest that the kinetics of Fe(III) binding by deferrioxamine is a slow, variable process, whereas Fe(II) binding is considerably faster. The binding of either valence of iron by deferrioxamine may result in variable effects on iron-catalyzed processes, such as lipid peroxidation, either via slow binding of Fe(III) or the rapid binding of Fe(II) with concomitant Fe(II) oxidation.     

Removal of "tightly bound" nucleotides from soluble mitochondrial adenosine triphosphatase (F1).

Soluble mitochondrial ATPase (F1) from beef heart prepared in this laboratory contained approximately 1.8 mol of ADP and 0 mol of ATP/mol of F1 which were not removed by repeated precipitation of the enzyme with ammonium sulfate solution or by gel filtration in low ionic strength buffer containing EDTA. This enzyme had full coupling activity. Treatment of the enzyme with trypsin (5 mug/mg of F1 for 3 min) reduced the "tightly bound" ADP to zero, abolished coupling activity, but had no effect on the ATPase activity, stability, or membrane-binding capability of the F1. When the trypsin concentration was varied between 0 and 5 mug/mg of F1, tightly bound ADP was removed to varying degrees, and a correlation was seen between amount of residual tightly bound ADP and residual coupling activity. Gel filtration of the native F1 in high ionic strength buffer containing EDTA also caused complete loss of tightly bound ADP and coupling ability, whereas ATPase activity, stability, and membrane-binding capability were retained. The ADP-depleted F1 preparations were unable to rebind normal amounts of ADP or any ATP in simple reloading experiments. The results strongly suggest that tightly bound ADP is required for ATP synthesis and for energy-coupled ATP hydrolysis on F1. The results also suggest that ATP synthesis and energy-linked ATP hydrolysis rather than involving one nucleotide binding site on F1, involve a series or "cluster" of sites. The ATP hydrolysis site may represent one component of this cluster. The results show that nonenergy-coupled ATP hydrolysis on F1 can occur in the absence of tightly bound ADP or ATP.     

An investigation into the role of hydroxyl radical in xanthine oxidase-dependent lipid peroxidation

A model lipid peroxidation system dependent upon the hydroxyl radical, generated by Fenton's reagent, was compared to another model system dependent upon the enzymatic generation of superoxide by xanthine oxidase. Peroxidation was studied in detergent-dispersed linoleic acid and in phospholipid liposomes. Hydroxyl radical generation by Fenton's reagent (FeCl₂ + H₂O₂) in the presence of phospholipid liposomes resulted in lipid peroxidation as evidenced by malondialdehyde and lipid hydroperoxide formation. Catalase, mannitol, and Tris-Cl were capable of inhibiting activity. The addition of EDTA resulted in complete inhibition of activity when the concentration of EDTA exceeded the concentration of Fe²⁺. The addition of ADP resulted in slight inhibition of activity, however, the activity was less sensitive to inhibition by mannitol. At an ADP to Fe²⁺ molar ratio of 10 to 1, 10 mm mannitol caused 25% inhibition of activity. Lipid peroxidation dependent on the enzymatic generation of superoxide by xanthine oxidase was studied in liposomes and in detergent-dispersed linoleate. No activity was observed in the absence of added iron. Activity and the apparent mechanism of initiation was dependent upon iron chelation. The addition of EDTA-chelated iron to the detergent-dispersed linoleate system resulted in lipid peroxidation as evidenced by diene conjugation. This activity was inhibited by catalase and hydroxyl radical trapping agents. In contrast, no activity was observed with phospholipid liposomes when iron was chelated with EDTA. The peroxidation of liposomes required ADP-chelated iron and activity was stimulated upon the addition of EDTA-chelated iron. The peroxidation of detergent-dispersed linoleate was also enhanced by ADP-chelated iron. Again, this peroxidation in the presence of ADP-chelated iron was not sensitive to catalase or hydroxyl radical trapping agents. It is proposed that initiation of superoxide-dependent lipid peroxidation in the presence of EDTA-chelated iron occurs via the hydroxyl radical. However, in the presence of ADP-chelated iron, the participation of the free hydroxyl radical is minimal.     

Role of Fe(III) in Fe(II)citrate-mediated peroxidation of mitochondrial membrane lipids

In this report we study the effect of Fe(III) on lipid peroxidation induced by Fe(II)citrate in mitochondrial membranes, as assessed by the production of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and antimycin A-insensitive oxygen uptake. The presence of Fe(III) stimulates initiation of lipid peroxidation when low citrate:Fe(II) ratios are used ( 4:1). For a citrate:total iron ratio of 1:1 the maximal stimulation of lipid peroxidation by Fe(III) was observed when the Fe(II):Fe(III) ratio was in the range of 1:1 to 1:2. The lag phase that accompanies oxygen uptake was greatly diminished by increasing concentrations of Fe(III) when the citrate:total iron ratio was 1:1, but not when this ratio was higher. It is concluded that the increase of lipid peroxidation by Fe(III) is observed only when low citrate:Fe(II) ratios were used. Similar results were obtained using ATP as a ligand of iron. Monitoring the rate of spontaneous Fe(II) oxidation by measuring oxygen uptake in buffered medium, in the absence of mitochondria, Fe(III)-stimulated oxygen consumption was observed only when a low citrate:Fe(II) ratio was used. This result suggests that Fe(III) may facilitate the initiation and/or propagation of lipid peroxidation by increasing the rate of Fe(II)citrate-generated reactive oxygen species.     

Purification and some kinetic properties of rat liver ATP citrate lyase.

A new purification procedure for rat liver ATP citrate lyase is described. The method reproducibly gives homogenous undegraded enzyme. Steady-state kinetic analysis of ATP citrate lyase was complicated by the presence of ADP, a product of the reaction, in solutions of ATP. The kinetic patterns observed were dependent on whether ADP was removed by the assay system. When assays were performed with a method in which ADP was removed, the results showed that the enzyme obeys a double-displacement mechanism with a phosphoenzyme intermediate. This resolves a controversy between the results of previous kinetic studies and those of isotope-exchange and enzyme-labelling experiments.     

Tightly bound nucleotides of the energy-transducing ATPase of chloroplasts and their role in photophosphorylation.

1. Like other energy-transducing membranes, chloroplast membranes bear a coupling ATPase with especially tight binding sites for adenine nucleotides. Membranes washed several times still contain 2.5 nmol ATP and 1.3 nmol ADP bound per mg chlorophyll, which is equivalent to 1.9 ATP and 1.0 ADP per coupling ATPase. 2. In de-energized membranes, these nucleotides exchange to only a limited extent with added nucleotides. In membranes illuminated in the presence of pyocyanine, however, complete exchange of the bound nucleotides occurs rapidly, irrespective of whether ATP or ADP is present in the medium. 3. Pi can exchange into these nucleotided at both the beta and gamma positions when the membranes are energized in the presence of Mg-2+. Equilibrium with the beta and gamma groups of th ebound nucleotides is, however, not complete. 4. The inhibitors and uncouplers Dio-9, S13 and EDTA have different effects on the exchange of nucleotides, the exchange of inorganic phosphate and photophosphorylation. 5. The bound ATP level on the membrane is stable to a wide variety of conditions. The ADP level, however, drops to near zero under conditions of maximal activation of the emmbrane ATPase.     

tert-butyl hydroperoxide-dependent microsomal release of iron and lipid peroxidation. II. Evidence for the involvement of nonheme, nonferritin iron in lipid peroxidation

In a previous study tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BOOH) was found to promote reductive release of nonheme, nonferritin iron from rat liver microsomes. The reaction was catalyzed by cytochrome P450 and was strictly contingent on the availability of ADP. In this study, t-BOOH was also found to promote microsomal lipid peroxidation, as evidenced by formation of malondialdehyde. t-BOOH-dependent lipid peroxidation was stimulated by ADP, and four lines of evidence suggested that such stimulation was mediated by reductive release and subsequent redox cycling of nonheme, nonferritin iron. First, lipid peroxidation was stimulated by the same concentration of ADP that promoted iron release. Second, depletion of nonheme, nonferritin iron by pretreatment of rats with phenobarbital decreased the stimulation of lipid peroxidation by ADP. Third, the effect of ADP was maximal when the concentration of t-BOOH was adjusted to values that yielded maximum iron release. Fourth, the effect of ADP was abolished by bathophenanthroline, which is known to chelate ferrous iron in a redox inactive form. These results suggest that the reductive release of nonheme, nonferritin iron exacerbates the deleterious effects of t-BOOH on microsomal lipids.     

Effects of low-molecular-weight aluminum complexes on brain tissue calcium homeostasis

The in vitro effects of low-molecular-weight aluminum complexes (citrate, lactate, and ATP complex) on the Ca²⁺ uptake and aluminum-induced lipid peroxidation of brain tissue show that the modification of the calcium homeostasis is determined by the nature of the ligand and that there is no correlation between the aluminum-induced lipid peroxidation and the Ca²⁺ uptake. The same characteristics have been shown by a similar study performed with Ehrlich carcinoma cells. The electrophoretic analyses of the aluminum lactate-albumin and aluminum lactate-ATP interactions indicate an aluminum transfer from the lactate to the albumin and ATP ligands. The increased Ca²⁺ uptake when ATP is present in the incubation medium with aluminum citrate and aluminum lactate corroborates the suggested mediator role of ATP in cellular calcium homeostasis modification induced by iron.     

Effect of succinate on mitochondrial lipid peroxidation. 1. Comparative studies on ferrous ion and ADP · Fe/NADPH-induced peroxidation

Lipid peroxidation in isolated rat liver mitochondria, mitoplast, and mitochondrial inner membrane fragments was induced either by ferrous ions, or in an NADPH-dependent process by complexing with adenine nucleotides (ADP or ATP) iron. The Fe²⁺-induced lipid peroxidation is nonenzymic when inner membrane fragments are used, while the differences in the inhibitory effect of Mn²⁺ ions and the stimulatory effect of the ionophore A-23187 in mitochondria and inner membrane fragments suggest an enzymic mechanism for ferrous ion-induced lipid peroxidation in intact mitochondria. Contrary to this the ADP/Fe/NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation is an enzymic process both in mitochondria and inner membrane preparations. We have shown that cytochrome P₄₅₀ is involved in the ADP/Fe/NADPH-induced lipid peroxidation. Succinate, a known inhibitor of NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation, inhibited the Fe²⁺-induced process also, and there was no difference in this effect when inner membrane preparations, mitochondria, or mitoplasts were used.     

Effect of temperature and chloride on steady-state inhibition of angiotensin I-converting enzyme by enalaprilat and ramiprilat.

Recent work has provided new evidence that ATP is the major constituent of the low-Mr iron pool in the reticulocyte. The interaction of the iron complex of ATP with mitochondria was investigated in the present experiments. When ATP-Fe3+ was incubated with mitochondria, Fe3+, free of ATP, bound with high affinity to Fe3+ receptors on the mitochondria. The binding was saturable and reversible. Iron which was complexed to PPi, nitrilotriacetate, citrate, ADP and GTP also showed saturable binding to mitochondria; Fe3+ complexed to AMP bound non-specifically, as did Fe2+/ascorbate complexed to AMP bound non-specifically, as did Fe2+/ascorbate and Fe2+/dithionite.     

Properties of ATP tightly bound to catalytic sites of chloroplast ATP synthase

Under steady state photophosphorylating conditions, each ATP synthase complex from spinach thylakoids contains, at a catalytic site, about one tightly bound ATP molecule that is rapidly labeled from medium 32Pi. The level of this bound [32P]ATP is markedly reduced upon de-energization of the spinach thylakoids. The reduction is biphasic, a rapid phase in which the [32P] ATP/synthase complex drops about 2-fold within 10 s, followed by a slow phase, kobs = 0.01/min. A decrease in the concentration of medium 32Pi to well below its apparent Km for photophosphorylation is required to decrease the amount of tightly bound ATP/synthase found just after de-energization and before the rapid phase of bound ATP disappearance. The [32P]ATP that remains bound after the rapid phase appears to be mostly at a catalytic site as demonstrated by a continued exchange of the oxygens of the bound ATP with water oxygens. This bound [32P]ATP does not exchange with medium Pi and is not removed by the presence of unlabeled ATP. The levels of tightly bound ADP and ATP arising from medium ADP were measured by a novel method based on use of [beta-32P]ADP. After photophosphorylation and within minutes after the rapid phase of bound ATP loss, the measured ratio of bound ADP to ATP was about 1.4 and the sum of bound ADP plus ATP was about 1/synthase. This ratio is smaller than that found about 1 h after de-energization. Hence, while ATP bound at catalytic sites disappears, bound ADP appears. The results suggest that during and after de-energization the bound ATP disappears from the catalytic site by hydrolysis to bound ADP and Pi with subsequent preferential release of Pi. These and related observations can be accommodated by the binding change mechanism for ATP synthase with participation of alternating catalytic sites and are consistent with a deactivated state arising from occupancy of one catalytic site on the synthase complex by an inhibitory ADP without presence of Pi.     

Studies on the mechanism of the NADPH-catalyzed peroxidation of endogenous microsomal lipid.

The importance of metal chelation in the mechanism of microsomal lipid peroxidation has been studied using both phosphate- and sulfhydryl-containing compounds. The optimal concentration for maximum stimulation by each of these compounds has been determined, and the decrease in stimulation observe at concentrations above the maxima has been related to the ability of these compounds to form stable chelation complexes with non-heme iron. Of the compounds tested, only ADP and ATP facilitated the cooperative binding of NADPH to the membrane and thus suggested the possibility of three binding sites for NADPH. Neither of the other two phosphate-chelating agents (Pi or PPi) and neither of the two thiols (cysteine or dithiothreitol)facilitated cooperative binding of NADPH. These data suggested that the adenine ring of ADP or ATP is directly involved in the cooperativity of NADPH binding. They also emphasized that the binding of the chelation complex to the protein is an important parameter in the mechanism of the NADPH-catalyzed peroxidation of endogenous microsomal lipids. Furthermore, stimulation of the rat of lipid peroxidation by sulhydryl-containing compounds, by freezing thawing the microsomal protein, and by treatment of the protein with detergent may be due to a decrease in this cooperative binding effect. Since cysteine and deoxycholate as well as freezing and thawing alter membrane structure, the stimulation of lipid peroxidation seems to involve some alteration to the structure of the microsomal membrane prior to the onset of enzymatic lipid peroxidation.     

Oxygen reduction and lipid peroxidation by iron chelates with special reference to ferric nitrilotriacetate

A certain iron chelate, ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe3+-NTA) is nephrotoxic and also carcinogenic to the kidney in mice and rats, a distinguishing feature not shared by other iron chelates tested so far. Iron-promoted lipid peroxidation is thought to be responsible for the initial events. We examined its ability to initiate lipid peroxidation in vitro in comparison with that of other ferric chelates. Chelation of Fe2+ by nitrilotriacetate (NTA) enhanced the autoxidation of Fe2+. In the presence of Fe2+-NTA, lipid peroxidation occurred as measured by the formation of conjugated diene in detergent-dispersed linoleate micelles, and by the formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances in the liposomes of rat liver microsomal lipids. Addition of ascorbic acid to Fe3+-NTA solution promoted dose-dependent consumption of dissolved oxygen, which indicates temporary reduction of iron. On reduction, Fe3+-NTA initiated lipid peroxidation both in the linoleate micelles and in the liposomes. Fe3+-NTA also initiated NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes. Although other chelators used (deferoxamine, EDTA, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, ADP) enhanced autoxidation, reduction by ascorbic acid, or in vitro lipid peroxidation of linoleate micelles or liposomal lipids, NTA was the sole chelator that enhanced all the reactions.     

Inhibition of xanthine oxidase — xanthine — iron mediated lipid peroxidation by eugenol in liposomes

The effect of eugenol on xanthine oxidase (XO) xanthine(X)-Fe⁺³-ADP mediated lipid peroxidation was studied in liver microsomal lipid liposomes. Eugenol inhibited the lipid peroxidation in a dose dependent manner as assessed by formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. When tested for its effect on XO activity per se, (by measuring uric acid formation) eugenol inhibited the enzyme to an extent of 85% at 10 µm concentration and hence formation of O₂ also However, the concentration of eugenol required for XO inhibition was more in presence of metal chelators such as EDTA, EGTA and DETAPAC, but not in presence of deferoxamine, ADP and citrate. The antiperoxidative effect of eugenol was about 35 times more and inhibition of XO was about 5 times higher as compared to the effect of allopurinol. Eugenol did not scavenge O₂ generated by phenazine methosulfate and NAD but inhibited propagation of peroxidation catalyzed by Fe²⁺ EDTA and lipid hydroperoxide containing liposomes. Eugenol inhibits XO-X-Fe⁺³ ADP mediated peroxidation by inhibiting the XO activity per se in addition to quenching various radical species. (Mol Cell Biochem 166: 65-71, 1997)     

A Chelator is Required for Microsomal LIPID Peroxidation Following Reductive Ferritin-Iron Mobilisation

In the past, antioxidant and chelator studies have implicated a role for iron-dependent oxidative damage in tissues subjected to ischaemia followed by reperfusion. As ferritin is a major source of iron in non-muscular organs and therefore a potential source of the iron required for oxygen radical chemistry, we have determined conditions under which ferritin iron reduction leads to the formation of a pool of iron which is capable of catalysing lipid peroxidation. Under anaerobic conditions and in the presence of rat liver microsomes, flavin mononucleotide (FMN) catalysed the reduction of ferritin iron as shown by both continuous spectrophotometric measurements of tris ferrozine-Fe(II) complex formation and post-reaction Fe(II) determination. The presence of either ferrozine or citrate was not found to alter the time course or extent of ferritin reduction. In contrast, the addition of air to the reactants after a 20 min period of anaerobic reduction resulted in peroxidation of the microsome suspension (as determined with the 2-thiobarbituric acid test) only in the presence of a chelator such as citrate, ADP or nitrilotriacetic acid. These results support the concept that reduced ferritin iron can mediate oxidative damage during reperfusion of previously ischaemic tissues, provided that chelating agents such as citrate or ADP are present.     

Oxygen radical generation by microsomes: role of iron and implications for alcohol metabolism and toxicity

Experiments were carried out to evaluate whether the molecular mechanism for ethanol oxidation by microsomes, a minor pathway of alcohol metabolism, involved generation of hydroxyl radical (.OH). Microsomes oxidized chemical .OH scavengers (KMB, DMSO, t-butyl alcohol, benzoate) by a reaction sensitive to catalase, but not SOD. Iron was required for microsomal .OH generation in view of the potent inhibition by desferrioxamine; however, the chelated form of iron was important. Microsomal .OH production was effectively stimulated by ferric EDTA or ferric DTPA, but poorly increased with ferric ATP, ferric citrate, or ferric ammonium sulfate. By contrast, the latter ferric complexes effectively increased microsomal chemiluminescence and lipid peroxidation, whereas ferric EDTA and ferric DTPA were inhibitory. Under conditions that minimize .OH production (absence of EDTA, iron) ethanol was oxidized by a cytochrome P-450-dependent process independent of reactive oxygen intermediates. Under conditions that promote microsomal .OH production, the oxidation of ethanol by .OH becomes more significant in contributing to the overall oxidation of ethanol by microsomes. Experiments with inhibitors and reconstituted systems containing P-450 and NADPH-P-450 reductase indicated that the reductase is the critical enzyme locus for interacting with iron and catalyzing production of reactive oxygen species. Microsomes isolated from rats chronically fed ethanol catalyzed oxidation of .OH scavengers, light emission, and inactivation of added metabolic enzymes at elevated rates, and displayed an increase in ethanol oxidation by a .OH-dependent and a P-450-dependent pathway. It is possible that enhanced generation of reactive oxygen intermediates by microsomes may contribute to the hepatotoxic effects of ethanol.     

Iron-catalyzed reactions may be responsible for the biochemical and biological effects of asbestos

The most carcinogenic forms of asbestos contain iron to levels as high as 36% by weight and catalyze many of the same biochemical reactions that freshly prepared solutions of iron do, i.e. oxygen consumption, generation of reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation and DNA damage. The participation of iron from asbestos in these reactions has been demonstrated using the iron chelator desferrioxamine B which inhibits iron-catalyzed reactions. Iron appears to be redox active on the asbestos fiber, but chelation and subsequent iron mobilization from asbestos by a variety of chelators, e.g. citrate, EDTA or nitrilotriacetate, makes the iron more redox active resulting in greater oxygen consumption and production of oxygen radicals in the presence of reducing agents. Iron also appears to be important for some of the asbestos-dependent biological effects on tissues or cells in culture, such as phagocytosis, cytotoxicity, lipid peroxidation and DNA damage. Therefore, redox cycling of iron to generate oxygen radicals at the surface of the fiber and/or in solution, as mobilized, low molecular weight chelates, may be very important in eliciting some of the biological effects of asbestos in vivo.     

Iron and xanthine oxidase catalyze formation of an oxidant species distinguishable from OH.: comparison with the Haber-Weiss reaction

O2- was produced by gamma irradiation of formate solutions, by the action of xanthine oxidase on hypoxanthine and O2, and by the action of ferredoxin reductase on NADPH and paraquat in the presence of O2. Its reaction with H2O2 and various iron chelates was studied. Oxidation of deoxyribose to thiobarbituric acid-reactive products that was appropriately inhibited by OH. scavengers, or formate oxidation to CO2, was used to detect OH(.). With each source of O2-, and by these criteria, Fe(EDTA) efficiently catalyzed this (Haber-Weiss) reaction, but little catalysis was detectable with iron bound to DTPA, citrate, ADP, ATP, or pyrophosphate, or without chelator in phosphate buffer. O2- produced from xanthine oxidase, but not from the other sources, underwent another iron-dependent reaction with H2O2, to produce an oxidant that did not behave as free OH(.). It was formed in phosphate or bicarbonate buffer, and caused deoxyribose oxidation that was readily inhibited by mannitol or Tris, but not by benzoate, formate, or dimethyl sulfoxide. It did not oxidize formate to CO2. Addition of EDTA changed the pattern of inhibition to that expected for a reaction of OH(.). The other chelators all inhibited deoxyribose oxidation, provided their concentrations were high enough. The results are compatible with iron bound to xanthine oxidase catalyzing production of a strong oxidant (which is not free OH.) from H2O2 and O2- produced by the enzyme.