The oxidation of oxyhaemoglobin by glyceraldehyde and other simple monosaccharides.

Glyceraldehyde and other simple monosaccharides oxidize oxyhaemoglobin to methaemoglobin in phosphate buffer at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C, with the concomitant production of H2O2 and an alpha-oxo aldehyde derivative of the monosaccharide. Simple monosaccharides also reduce methaemoglobin to ferrohaemichromes (non-intact haemoglobin) at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C. Carbonmonoxyhaemoglobin is unreactive towards oxidation by autoxidizing glyceraldehyde. Free-radical production from autoxidizing monosaccharides with haemoglobins was observed by the e.s.r. technique of spin trapping with the spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-l-pyrroline N-oxide. Hydroxyl and l-hydroxyalkyl radical production observed from monosaccharide autoxidation was quenched in the presence of oxyhaemoglobin and methaemoglobin. The haemoglobins appear to quench the free radicals by reaction with the free radicals and/or the ene-diol precursor of the free radical.     

Reactions of Adriamycin with haemoglobin. Superoxide dismutase indirectly inhibits reactions of the Adriamycin semiquinone.

The Adriamycin semiquinone produced by the reaction of xanthine oxidase and xanthine with Adriamycin has been shown to reduce both methaemoglobin and cytochrome c. In air, but not N2, both reactions were inhibited by superoxide dismutase. With cytochrome c, superoxide formed by the rapid reaction of the semiquinone with O2, was responsible for the reduction. However, even in air, methaemoglobin was reduced directly by the Adriamycin semiquinone. Superoxide dismutase inhibited this reaction by removing superoxide and hence the semiquinone by displacing the equilibrium: Semiquinone + O2 in equilibrium or formed from quinone + O2-. to the right. This ability to inhibit indirectly reactions of the semiquinone could have wider implications for the protection given by superoxide dismutase against the cytotoxicity of Adriamycin. Oxidation of haemoglobin by Adriamycin has been shown to be initiated by a reversible reaction between the drug and oxyhaemoglobin, producing methaemoglobin and the Adriamycin semiquinone. Reaction of the semiquinone with O2 gives superoxide and H2O2, which can also react with haemoglobin. Catalase, by preventing this reaction of H2O2, inhibits oxidation of oxyhaemoglobin. Superoxide dismutase, however, accelerates oxidation, by inhibiting the reaction of the semiquinone with methaemoglobin by the mechanism described above. Although superoxide dismutase has a detrimental effect on haemoglobin oxidation, it may protect the red cell against more damaging reactions of the Adriamycin semiquinone.     

Mechanism of autoxidation of oxyhaemoglobin

Oxyhaemoglobins from erythrocytes of different animals including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals and human beings have been isolated by ion-exchange chromatography over phosphocellulose and the comparative rates of autoxidation of oxyhaemoglobin studied. The mechanism of autoxidationin vitro has been elucidated using toad as well as human oxyhaemoglobin. Autoxidation is markedly inhibited by carbon monoxide as well as by anion ligands, namely, potassium cyanide, sodium azide and potassium thiocyanate. The inhibition by anions is in the same order as their strength as nucleophiles, indicating that it is the oxyhaemoglobin and not the ligand-bound deoxy species which undergoes autoxidation. The structure of oxyhaemoglobin is considered to be mainly and determination of the rate of autoxidation with or without using superoxide dismutase and catalase indicates that the initial process of autoxidation takes place by dissociation of to methaemoglobin and superoxide to the extent of 24%. The superoxide thus produced reattacks oxyhaemoglobin to produce further methaemoglobin and hydrogen peroxide. H₂O₂ is a major oxidant of oxyhaemoglobin producing methaemoglobin to the extent of 53%. A tentative mechanism of autoxidation showing the sequence of reactions involving superoxide, H₂O₂ and OH has been presented.     

Effect of superoxide dismutase on the autoxidation of substituted hydro- and semi-naphthoquinones

The effect of superoxide dismutase on the autoxidation of hydro- and semi-1,4-naphthoquinones with different substitution pattern and covering a one-electron reduction potential range from -95 to -415 mV was examined. The naphthoquinone derivatives were reduced via one or two electrons by purified NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase or DT-diaphorase, respectively. Superoxide dismutase did not alter or slightly enhance the initial rates of enzymic reduction, whereas it affected in a different manner the following autoxidation of the semi- and hydroquinones formed. Autoxidation was assessed as NADPH oxidation in excess to the amounts required to reduce the quinone present, H2O2 formation, and the redox state of the quinones. Superoxide dismutase enhanced 2--8-fold the autoxidation of 1,4-naphthosemiquinones, following the reduction of the oxidized counterpart by NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase, except for the glutathionyl-substituted naphthosemiquinones, whose autoxidation was not affected by superoxide dismutase. Superoxide dismutase exerted two distinct effects on the autoxidation of naphthohydroquinones formed during DT-diaphorase catalysis: on the one hand, it enhanced slightly the autoxidation of 1,4-naphthohydroquinones with a hydroxyl substituent in the benzene ring: 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone and the corresponding derivatives with methyl- and/or glutathionyl substituents at C2 and C3, respectively. On the other hand, superoxide dismutase inhibited the autoxidation of naphthohydroquinones that were either unsubstituted or with glutathionyl-, methyl-, methoxyl-, hydroxyl substituents (the latter in the quinoid ring). The inhibition of hydroquinone autoxidation was reflected as a decrease of NADPH oxidation, suppression of H2O2 production, and accumulation of the reduced form of the quinone. The enhancement of autoxidation of 1,4-naphthosemiquinones by superoxide dismutase has been previously rationalized in terms of the rapid removal of O2-. by the enzyme from the equilibrium of the autoxidation reaction (Q2-. + O2----Q + O2-.), thus displacing it towards the right. The superoxide dismutase-dependent inhibition of H2O2 formation as well as NADPH oxidation during the autoxidation of naphthohydroquinones--except those with a hydroxyl substituent in the benzene ring--seems to apply to those organic substrates which can break down with simultaneous formation of a semiquinone and O2-.. Inhibition of hydroquinone autoxidation by superoxide dismutase can be interpreted in terms of suppression by the enzyme of O2-.- dependent chain reactions or a direct catalytic interaction with the enzyme that might involve reduction of the semiquinone at expense of O2(-.).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

The rate of reaction of superoxide radical ion with oxyhaemoglobin and methaemoglobin.

Superoxide radical ions (O2-) produced by the radiolytic reduction of oxygenated formate solutions and by the xanthine oxidase-catalysed oxidation of xanthine were shown to oxidize the haem groups in oxyhaemoglobin and reduce those in methaemoglobin as in reactions (1) and (2): (see articles) Reaction (1) is suppressed by reaction (8) when [O2-]exceeds 10 muM, but consumes all the O2- generated in oxyhaemoglobin solutions when [oxyhaemoglobin] greater than 160 muM and [O2-]less than 1 nM at pH 7. The yield of reaction (2) is also maximal in methaemoglobin solutions under similar conditions, but less than one haem group is reduced per O2- radical. From studies of (a) the yield of reactions (1) and (2) at variable [haemoglobin] and rates of production of O2-, (b) their suppression by superoxide dismutase, and (c) equilibria observed with mixtures of oxyhaemoglobin and methaemoglobin, it is shown that k1/k2=0.7 +/- 0.2 and k1 = (4 +/- 1) X 10(3) M-1-S-1 At pH7, and k1 and k2 decrease with increasing pH. Concentrations and rate constants are expressed in terms of haem-group concentrations. Concentrations of superoxide dismutase observed in normal erythrocytes are sufficient to suppress reactions (1) and (2), and hence prevent the formation of excessive methaemoglobin.     

Involvement of superoxide anion in the reaction mechanism of haemoglobin oxidation by nitrite.

The sigmoidal time course of haemoglobin oxidation by nitrite, involving an initial slow reaction accompanied by a subsequent rapid reaction, was extensively explored. The initial slow reaction was much prolonged by the addition of superoxide dismutase to the reaction mixture. On the other hand, in the presence of superoxide anion generated by xanthine oxidase systems, the slow phase disappeared and the reaction changed to first-order kinetics. The oxidation of intermediate haemoglobins [defined as haemoglobin tetramer in which different chains (alpha- or beta-) are in the ferric state and in the ferrous state] such as (alpha 2+ beta 3+)2 and (alpha 3+ beta 2+)2 also proceeded in a sigmoidal manner. Similar effects of superoxide anion on these reactions were observed. Since the intermediate haemoglobins such as (alpha 2+ beta 3+)2 and (alpha 3+ beta 2+)2 were found to be produced by the oxidation of haemoglobin by nitrite, the changes in oxyhaemoglobin, intermediate haemoglobins and methaemoglobin during the reaction were followed by isoelectric-focusing electrophoresis. The amounts of (alpha 2+ beta 3+)2 were larger than those of (alpha 3+ beta 2+)2 at the initial stages of the reaction, suggesting that there is a functional difference between alpha- and beta-chains in the oxyhaemoglobin tetramer. On the basis of these results, a reaction model of the haemoglobin oxidation by nitrite was tentatively proposed. The changes in oxyhaemoglobin, intermediate haemoglobins and methaemoglobin were well fitted to the simulation curves generated from the reaction model. Details of the derivation of the equations used for kinetic analysis have been deposited as Supplement SUP 50112 (5 pages) with the British Library Lending Division, Boston Spa, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS23 7BQ, U.K. from whom copies may be obtained on the terms indicated in Biochem. J. (1978) 169, 5.     

Mechanism of oxyhaemoglobin breakdown on reaction with acetylphenylhydrazine.

The reaction of oxyhaemoglobin and acetylphenylhydrazine, which results in haemoglobin denaturation and precipitation, was found to be influenced by H202 and superoxide (O2-.) generated during the reaction. By analysing the different haemoglobin oxidation products, it was found that by influencing the rate at which oxyhaemoglobin was oxidized, H2O2 accelerated the overall haemoglobin breakdown, and O2-. inhibited it. By adding GSH (reduced glutathione) or ascorbate, it was possible to slow down the rates of both oxyhaemoglobin oxidation and O2-. production, and the overall rate of haemoglobin breakdown. These results are compatible with a mechanism involving production of the acetylphenylhydrazyl free radical, and with GSH, ascorbate and O2-. acting as radical scavengers and preventing its further reactions. The reaction produced choleglobin, as well as acetylphenyldiazine and methaemoglobin, which combined to form a haemichrome. The haemichrome was less stable and precipitated first. It was also less stable than the haemichrome formed by direct reaction of acetylphenyldiazine with methaemoglobin, and it is proposed that this is because the methaemoglobin produced from oxyhaemoglobin and acetylphenylhydrazine was modified by the free radicals and H2O2 produced in the reaction.     

Changes in intermediate haemoglobins during methaemoglobin reduction by NADPH-flavin reductase.

The changes in intermediate haemoglobins produced during methaemoglobin reduction by NADPH-flavin reductase were analysed by an isoelectric-focusing method. The alpha 3+ beta 2+ and alpha 2+ beta 3+ valency hybrids were observed as intermediate haemoglobins and changed consecutively with time during the reaction. On the basis of the analyses, the course of methaemoglobin reduction was found to involve two different pathways: (1) methaemoglobin kappa+1 leads to alpha 3+ beta 2+ kappa+2 leads to oxyhaemoglobin; (2) methaemoglobin kappa+3 leads to alpha 2+ beta 3+ kappa+4 leads to oxyhaemoglobin. The reaction rate constants of each phase (kappa+1--kappa+4) were also estimated. The addition of inositol hexaphosphate to the reaction mixture did not affect the overall reaction. The mechanism of methaemoglobin reduction by NADPH-flavin reductase is discussed on the basis of these results.     

Multiple actions of superoxide dismutase: why can it both inhibit and stimulate reduction of oxygen by hydroquinones?

Superoxide dismutase can either inhibit or stimulate autoxidation of different hydroquinones, suggesting multiple roles for O2.-. Inhibitory actions of superoxide dismutase include termination of O2.(-)-propagated reaction chains and metal chelation by the apoprotein. Together, chelation of metals and termination of O2.(-)-propagated chains can effectively prevent reduction of oxygen. Chain termination by superoxide dismutase can thus account for negligible accumulation of H2O2 without invoking a superoxide:semiquinone oxidoreductase activity for this enzyme. One stimulatory action of superoxide dismutase is to decrease thermodynamic limitations to reduction of oxygen. Whether superoxide dismutase inhibits or accelerates an autoxidation depends on the reduction potentials of the quinone and the availability of metal coordination for inner sphere electron transfers.     

Effect of superoxide dismutase on the autoxidation of various hydroquinones--a possible role of superoxide dismutase as a superoxide:semiquinone oxidoreductase

The autoxidation of DT-diaphorase-reduced 1,4-naphthoquinone, 2-OH-1,4-naphthoquinone, and 2-OH-p-benzoquinone is efficiently prevented by superoxide dismutase. This effect was assessed in terms of an inhibition of NADPH oxidation (over the amount required to reduce the available quinone), O2 consumption, and H2O2 formation. Superoxide dismutase also affects the distribution of molecular products -hydroquinone/quinone-involved in autoxidation, by favoring the accumulation of the reduced form of the above quinones. In contrast, the rate of autoxidation of DT-diaphorase-reduced 1,2-naphthoquinone is enhanced by superoxide dismutase, as shown by increased rates of NADPH oxidation, O2 consumption, and H2O2 formation and by an enhanced accumulation of the oxidized product, 1,2-naphthoquinone. These findings suggest that superoxide dismutase can either prevent or enhance hydroquinone autoxidation. The former process would imply a possible new activity displayed by superoxide dismutase involving the reduction of a semiquinone by O2-.. This activity is probably restricted to the redox properties of the semiquinones under study, as indicated by the failure of superoxide dismutase to prevent autoxidation of 1,2-naphthohydroquinone.     

Autoxidation of the site-specifically PEGylated hemoglobins: role of the PEG chains and the sites of PEGylation in the autoxidation

The PEGylated hemoglobin (Hb) has been evaluated as a potential blood substitute. In an attempt to understand the autoxidation of the PEGylated Hb, we have studied the autoxidation of the PEGylated Hb site-specifically modified at Cys-93(beta) or at Val-1(beta). PEGylation of Hb at Cys-93(beta) perturbed the heme environment and increased the autoxidation rate of Hb, which is at a higher level than that caused by PEGylation at Val-1(beta). The perturbation of the heme environment of Hb is attributed to the maleimide modification at Cys-93(beta) and not due to conjugation of the PEG chains. However, the PEG chains enhance the autoxidation and the H 2O 2 mediated oxidation of Hb. Accordingly, the PEG chains are assumed to increase the water molecules in the hydration layer of Hb and enhance the autoxidation by promoting the nucleophilic attack of heme. The autoxidation rate of the PEGylated Hb does not show an inverse correlation with the oxygen affinity. The H 2O 2 mediated structural loss and the heme loss of Hb are increased by maleimide modification at Cys-93(beta) and further decreased by conjugation of the PEG chains. The autoxidation of the PEGylated Hbs is attenuated significantly in the plasma, possibly due to the presence of the antioxidant species in the plasma. This result is consistent with the recent suggestion that there is no direct correlation between the in vitro and in vivo autoxidation of the PEGylated Hb. Therefore, the pattern of PEGylation can be manipulated for the design of the PEGylated Hb with minimal autoxidation.     

Haemichrome formation from haemoglobin subunits by hydrogen peroxide.

The effect of H2O2 on ferrous human haemoglobin subunits (alphash-, betash-, alphapmb- and betapmb-chains) was studied. These chains were easily transformed to haemichrome by the addition of H2O2 or H2O2-generating systems, including glucose oxidase (EC 1.1.3.4) AND XANTHINE OXIDASE (EC 1.2.3.2), and this was ascertained by e.p.r. measurements and by absorption spectra. The changes in these haemoglobin subunits were not inhibited by superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1), but were decreased by catalase (EC 1.11.1.6). The rate of oxidation of alphapmb-chains was higher than that of alphash-chains, and the rate of oxidation of betapmb-chains was higher than that of betash-chains. Haemichrome was demonstrated to be formed directly from these ferrous chains by the attack by H2O2, and this process did not involve formation of methaemoglobin. On the basis of these findings the kinetics of the reaction between the haemoglobin subunits and H2O2 was studied, and the pathological significance of H2O2 in disorders of erythrocytes such as thalassaemia was discussed.     

The reaction of menadione with haemoglobin. Mechanism and effect of superoxide dismutase.

1. Menadione was found to react with both the haem groups and the beta-93 thiol groups of haemoglobin. 2. It oxidized the haem groups of oxyhaemoglobin, giving mainly methaemoglobin and a smaller amount of haemichrome. The reaction rate was decrease in the presence of catalase and markedly accelerated in the presence of superoxide dismutase. It is proposed that the overall reaction involves the initial reversible formation of methaemoglobin and the semiquinone, and that the effect of superoxide dismutase is to prevent the reverse reaction, by removing superoxide and hene O2-. E.s.r. evidence for the information of the semi-quinone and its reactions is presented. 3. The reaction of menadione with the beta-93 thiol groups of haemoglobin appeared to be similar to that with other thiols, forming the 3-thioether derivative of menadione, but it was also accompanied by reduction of methaemoglobin. This reduction was prevented by superoxide dismutase, but appeared to be caused by the semiquinone radical, which was produced as an intermediate. 4. Reduced glutathione functioned only to a limited extent as a scavenger of the menadione semiquinone. Its main reaction was directly with menadione to form the thioether. Ascorbate was a more efficient scavenger, and accelerated the oxidation of oxyhaemoglobin by menadione. 5. The significance of these findings in relation to menadione-induced erythrocyte haemolysis is discussed.     

The role of superoxide radical in the autoxidation of cytochrome c.

The net rate of autoxidation of ferrocytochrome c was decreased by ferricytochrome c. Superoxide dismutase accelerated this autoxidation to a limit and overcame the inhibitory effect of ferricytochrome c. This was the case whether the autoxidationwas observed in the presence or in the absence of denaturants, such as alcohols orurea, and whether the superoxide dismutase used was the Cu-2+-Zn-2+ enzyme from bovine erythrocytes or the Mn-3+-enzyme from Escherichia coli. It can be deduced that the autoxidation of ferrocytochrome c, under a variety of conditions, geenerates O2 minus which can then dismute to H202 + O2 or can reduce ferricytochrome c back to ferrocytochrome c. Superoxide dismutase, by accelerating the dismutation of O2 minus, prevents the back reaction and thus exposes the true rate of reaction of ferrocytochrome c with molecular oxygen.     

Primary structure of a dimeric haemoglobin from the deep-sea cold-seep clam Calyptogena soyoae.

The heterodont clam Calyptogena soyoae, living in the cold-seep area of the upper bathyal depth of Sagami Bay, Japan, has two homodimeric haemoglobins (Hb I and Hb II) in erythrocytes. The complete amino acid sequence of 136 residues of C. soyoae Hb II was determined. The sequence showed low homology with any other globins (at most 20% identity) and lacked the N-terminal extension of seven to nine amino acid residues characteristic of all the molluscan haemoglobins sequenced hitherto. Although the subunit assembly of molluscan haemoglobin is known to be 'back-to-front' relative to vertebrate haemoglobin, C. soyoae Hb II is unlikely to undergo such a subunit assembly because it lacks homology in the sequence involving subunit interaction. These structural features suggest that C. soyoae haemoglobin may have accomplished a unique molecular evolution. The distal (E7) histidine residue of C. soyoae Hb II is unusually replaced by glutamine. However, the oxyhaemoglobin is stable enough to act as an O2 carrier, since the autoxidation rate at near physiological temperature (3 degrees C) is about 3 times lower than that of human haemoglobin at 37 degrees C. H.p.l.c. patterns of peptides (Figs. 5-7), amino acid compositions of intact protein and peptides (Table 1) and amino acid sequences of intact protein and peptides (Tables 2 and 3) have been deposited as Supplementary Publication SUP 50150 (11 pages) at the British Library Document Supply Centre, Boston Spa, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS23 7BQ, U.K., from whom copies may be obtained on the terms indicated in Biochem. J. (1989) 257, 5.     

Conversion of oxyhaemoglobin into methaemoglobin by ferricytochrome b5.

Ferricytochrome b5 was found to convert oxyhaemoglobin into methaemoglobin under conditions previously found to be optimal for complex-formation between ferricytochrome b5 and methaemoglobin [Mauk & Mauk (1982) Biochemistry 21, 4730-4734]. As this reaction is completely inhibited by CO, it is proposed that oxyhaemoglobin is oxidized after O2 dissociation, as has been suggested for the oxidation of oxyhaemoglobin by inorganic complexes. From the present analysis, ferricytochrome b5 seems unlikely to contribute significantly to methaemoglobin formation in vivo. Nevertheless, this observation provides a relatively convenient means of investigating the mechanism by which these two proteins interact.     

Haemoglobin: A scavenger of superoxide radical

Superoxide is continuously generated in the erythrocytes, and oxyhaemoglobin from different animals including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, flying mammals, mammals and human beings acts as a scavenger of superoxide. The approximate rate constants of the reaction between superoxide and oxyhaemoglobin of different animals are 0.32-1.6 × 10⁷M^-1 s^-1. Results obtained with anion ligands like CN^- and N ₃ ^- indicate that superoxide preferentially reacts with anion ligand-bound deoxyhaemoglobin. Carbonmonoxyhaemoglobin and methaemoglobin are ineffective. Work with photochemically generated oxyradical indicate that oxyhaemoglobin may also act as a scavenger of singlet oxygen. The rate constant of the reaction between superoxide and human oxyhaemoglobin is K_app= 6.5×10⁶ M^-1 s^-1, which is about three orders less than K_sod(2× 10⁹ M^-1 s^-1). Thus, in the erythrocytes, oxyhaemoglobin would appear to act as a second line of defence. Oxyhaemoglobin appears to be as effective as superoxide dismutase for scavenging superoxide in the erythrocytes.     

Monoamine-dependent production of reactive oxygen species catalyzed by pseudoperoxidase activity of human hemoglobin

Hemoglobin (Hb) solution-based blood substitutes are being developed as oxygen-carrying agents for the prevention of ischemic tissue damage and low blood volume-shock. However, the cell-free Hb molecule has intrinsic toxicity to the tissue since harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) are readily produced during autoxidation of Hb from the ferrous state to the ferric state, and the cell-free Hb also causes distortion in the oxidant/antioxidant balance in the tissues. There may be further hindering dangers in the use of free Hb as a blood substitute. It has been reported that Hb has peroxidase-like activity oxidizing peroxidase substrates such as aromatic amines. Here we observed the Hb-catalyzed ROS production coupled to oxidation of a neurotransmitter precursor, beta-phenylethylamine (PEA). Addition of PEA to Hb solution resulted in generation of superoxide anion (O2*-). We also observed that PEA increases the Hb-catalyzed monovalent oxidation of ascorbate to ascorbate free radicals (Asc'). The O2*- generation and Asc formation were detected by O2*--specific chemiluminescence of the Cypridina lucigenin analog and electron spin resonance spectroscopy, respectively. PEA-dependent O2*- production and monovalent oxidation of ascorbate in the Hb solution occurred without addition of H2O2, but a trace of H2O2 added to the system greatly increased the production of both O2*- and Asc*. Addition of GSH completely inhibited the PEA-dependent production of O2*- and Asc* in Hb solution. We propose that the O2*- generation and Asc* formation in the Hb solution are due to the pseudoperoxidase activity-dependent oxidation of PEA and resultant ROS may damage tissues rich in monoamines, if the Hb-based blood substitutes were circulated without addition of ROS scavengers such as thiols.     

Interactions between metals, ligands, and oxygen in the autoxidation of 6-hydroxydopamine: mechanisms by which metal chelation enhances inhibition by superoxide dismutase

Transition metal ions and superoxide participate in different autoxidations to a variable extent. In the reaction of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) with oxygen at pH 7.0 or 8.0, addition of 5 to 300 U/ml superoxide dismutase inhibited autoxidation by up to 96% at the highest concentrations. Superoxide dismutase at concentrations of 5-20 U/ml inhibited by less than 40% when present alone, but inhibited by over 99% in the presence of desferrioxamine or histidine. EDTA also enhanced the inhibition by 20 U/ml superoxide dismutase to 86%, even though EDTA accelerated the autoxidation of 6-OHDA when present alone or with desferrioxamine. In contrast, other ligands, such as ADP or phytic acid, had little or no effect on inhibition by superoxide dismutase. Proteins such as albumin, cytochrome oxidase, or denatured superoxide dismutase also enhanced inhibition by active superoxide dismutase from less than 40% to over 90%. Evidently, in the presence of redox active metals, autoxidation occurs by inner sphere electron transfer, presumably within a ternary 6-OHDA.metal.oxygen complex. This mechanism does not involve free O2-. and is not inhibited by superoxide dismutase. On the other hand, the presence of certain ligands (including proteins) diminishes the ability of trace metals to exchange electrons with 6-OHDA or oxygen by an inner sphere mechanism. These ligands render autoxidation dependent on propagation by O2-. and therefore inhibitable by superoxide dismutase. Previously conflicting reports that superoxide dismutase alone inhibits 6-OHDA autoxidation are thus explicable on the basis that at sufficient concentration the apoprotein coordinates trace metals in such a way to preclude inner sphere metal catalysis.     

Effect of drugs on oxidation and precipitation of the isolated chains of human hemoglobin

Summary The paper deals with the action of: primaquine, epinephrine, adrenochrome, acetylphenylhydrazine and sulphanilamide on the autoxidation of the isolated chains from human hemoglobin and on the precipitation which follows. The effect of superoxide dismutase and catalase on the drug induced autoxidation allows the assessment of the possible role of 0₂ derivatives (notably superoxide or peroxide) in the overall reaction mechanism. It is also shown that primaquine and acetylphenylhydrazine enhance precipitation of the isolated oxidized chains, while epinephrine and adrenochrome display a small inhibitory effect on precipitation. These effects do not involve O₂ radicals, but have presumably to be related to a destabilizing (or stabilizing) action of the drugs on the structure of the protein.