A tetrameric iron superoxide dismutase from the eucaryote Tetrahymena pyriformis

An iron-containing superoxide dismutase has been purified from the protozoan Tetrahymena pyriformis. It has a molecular weight of 85,000 and is composed of four subunits of equal size. The tetramer contains 2.5 g atoms of ferric iron. Visible absorption and electron spin resonance spectra closely resemble those of other iron-containing superoxide dismutases. The amino acid sequence of the iron superoxide dismutase was determined. Each subunit is made up of 196 residues, corresponding to a molecular weight of 22,711. Comparison of the primary structure with the known sequences of other iron-containing superoxide dismutases reveals a relatively low degree of identity (33-34%). However, a higher percentage identity is found with mammalian manganese-containing superoxide dismutases (41-42%). The amino acid sequence is discussed in consideration of residues that may distinguish iron from manganese or dimeric from tetrameric superoxide dismutases.     

The primary structure of iron-superoxide dismutase from Photobacterium leiognathi

The complete amino acid sequence of iron-superoxide dismutase from Photobacterium leiognathi was determined. The sequence was deduced following characterization of the peptides obtained from tryptic, chymotryptic, and Staphylococcus aureus V-8 protease digests of the apoprotein. The amino acid sequence listed below is made up of 193 residues. It is the first complete sequence to be determined for an iron-superoxide dismutase. The iron-superoxide dismutase shows the same order of homology with the manganese-superoxide dismutases as these enzymes show among themselves. No homology was observed with the copper/zinc-containing class of superoxide dismutases. Ala-Phe-Glu-Leu-Pro-Ala-Leu-Pro-Phe-Ala-Met-Asn-Ala-Leu-Glu-Pro-His-Ile- Ser-Gln-Glu-Thr-Leu-Glu-Tyr-His-Tyr-Gly-Lys-His-His-Asn-Thr-Tyr-Val-Val- Lys-Leu-Asn-Gly-Leu-Val-Glu-Gly-Thr-Glu-Leu-Ala-Glu-Lys-Ser-Leu-Glu-Glu- Ile-Ile-Lys-Thr-Ser-Thr-Gly-Gly-Val-Phe-Asn-Asn-Ala-Ala-Gln-Val-Trp-Asn- His-Thr-Phe-Tyr-Trp-Asn-Cys-Leu-Ala-Pro-Asn-Ala-Gly-Gly-Glu-Pro-Thr-Gly- Glu-Val-Ala-Ala-Ala-Ile-Glu-Lys-Ala-Phe-Gly-Ser-Phe-Ala-Glu-Phe-Lys-Ala- Lys-Phe-Thr-Asp-Ser-Ala-Ile-Asn-Asn-Phe-Gly-Ser-Ser-Trp-Thr-Trp-Leu-Val- Lys-Asn-Ala-Asn-Gly-Ser-Leu-Ala-Ile-Val-Asn-Thr-Ser-Asn-Ala-Gly-Cys-Pro- Ile-Thr-Glu-Glu-Gly-Val-Thr-Pro-Leu-Leu-Thr-Val-Asp-Leu-Trp-Glu-His-Ala- Tyr-Tyr-Ile-Asp-Tyr-Arg-Asn-Leu-Arg-Pro-Ser-Tyr-Met-Asp-Gly-Phe-Trp-Ala- Leu-Val-Asn-Trp-Asp-Phe-Val-Ser-Lys-Asn-Leu-Ala-Ala.     

Nucleotide sequence analysis of the nuclear gene coding for manganese superoxide dismutase of yeast mitochondria, a gene previously assumed to code for the Rieske iron-sulphur protein

We have previously reported the isolation of the gene coding for a 25-kDa polypeptide present in a purified yeast QH2:cytochrome c oxidoreductase preparation, which was thus identified as the gene for the Rieske iron-sulphur protein [Van Loon et al. (1983) Gene 26, 261-272]. Subsequent DNA sequence analysis reported here reveals, however, that the encoded protein is in fact manganese superoxide dismutase, a mitochondrial matrix protein. Comparison with the known amino acid sequence of the mature protein indicates that it is synthesized with an N-terminal extension of 27 amino acids. In common with the N-terminal extensions of other imported mitochondrial proteins, the presequence has several basic residues but lacks negatively charged residues. The function of these positive charges and other possible topogenic sequences are discussed. Sequences 5' of the gene contain two elements that may be homologous to the suggested regulatory sites, UAS 1 and UAS 2 in the yeast CYC1 gene [Guarente et al. (1984) Cell 36, 503-511]. The predicted secondary structures in manganese superoxide dismutase appear to be very similar to those reported for iron superoxide dismutase, suggesting similar three-dimensional structures. Making use of the known three-dimensional structure of the Fe enzyme, the Mn ligands are predicted.     

The primary structure of human liver manganese superoxide dismutase

The complete amino acid sequence of manganese superoxide dismutase from human liver was determined. The sequence was deduced following characterization of the peptides obtained from tryptic, chymotryptic, and Staphylococcus aureus digests of the apoprotein. Chemical cleavage with dimethyl sulfoxide-hydrobromic acid was also carried out. The amino acid sequence listed below is made up of 196 amino acids and the two subunit polypeptides in the native enzyme appear to be identical. No homology was observed with copper/zinc containing class of superoxide dismutase. Lys-His-Ser-Leu-Pro-Asp-Leu-Pro-Tyr-Asp-Tyr-Gly-Ala-Leu-Glu-Pro-His-Il e -Asn-Ala-Gln-Ile-Met-Gln-Leu-His-His-Ser-Lys-His-His-Ala-Ala-Tyr-Val-Asn -Asn-Leu-Asn-Val-Thr-Gln-Glu-Lys-Tyr-Gln-Glu-Ala-Leu-Ala-Lys-Gly-Asp-Val -Thr-Ala-Gln-Ile-Ala-Leu-Gln-Pro-Ala-Leu-Lys-Phe-Asn-Gly-Gly-Gly-His-Ile -Asn-His-Ser-Ile-Phe-Trp-Thr-Asn-Leu-Ser-Pro-Asn-Gly-Gly-Gly-Gln-Pro-Lys -Gly-Glu-Leu-Leu-Glu-Ala-Ile-Lys-Arg-Asp-Phe-Gly-Ser-Phe-Asp-Lys-Phe-Lys -Gln-Lys-Leu-Thr-Ala-Ala-Ser-Val-Gly-Val-Gln-Gly-Ser-Gly-Trp-Leu-Gly-Phe -Asn-Lys-Gln-Arg-Gly-His-Leu-Gln-Ile-Ala-Ala-Cys-Pro-Asn-Gln-Asp-Pro-Leu -Gln-Gly-Thr-Thr-Gly-Leu-Ile-Pro-Leu-Leu-Gly-Ile-Asp-Val-Trp-Glu-His-Ala -Tyr-Tyr-Leu-Gln-Tyr-Lys-Asn-Val-Arg-Pro-Asp-Tyr-Leu-Lys-Ala-Ile-Trp-Asn -Val-Ile-Asn-Trp-Glu-Asn-Val-Thr-Glu-Arg-Tyr-Met-Ala-Cys-Lys-Lys.     

The primary structure of superoxide dismutase purified from anaerobically maintained Bacteroides gingivalis

The superoxide dismutase (SOD) of Bacteroides gingivalis can use either iron or manganese as a cofactor in its catalytic activity. In this study, the complete amino acid sequence of this SOD purified from anaerobically maintained B. gingivalis cells was determined. The proteins consisted of 191 amino acid residues and had a molecular mass of 21,500. The sequence of B. gingivalis SOD showed 44-51% homology with those for iron-specific SODs (Fe-SODs) and 40-45% homology with manganese-specific SODs (Mn-SODs) from several bacteria. However, this sequence homology was considerably less than that seen among the Fe-SOD (65-74%) or Mn-SOD family (42-60%). This indicates that B. gingivalis SOD, which accepts either iron or manganese as metal cofactor, is a structural intermediate between the Fe-SOD and Mn-SOD families.     

Primary structure of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase from Neurospora crassa

The complete amino acid sequence of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase from Neurospora crassa is reported. The subunit consists of 153 amino acids and has a Mr of 15,850. The primary structure was determined by automated and manual sequence analysis of peptides obtained by digestions of the carboxymethylated and aminoethylated enzyme with trypsin and thermolysin. The protein is devoid of tryptophan and methionine and displays a free amino terminus. Comparison of the amino acid sequence with those from human erythrocyte, bovine erythrocyte, horse liver, swordfish liver, and yeast copper-zinc superoxide dismutases reveals a high degree of sequence homology among the six enzymes. Most prominently, the regions containing the amino acid residues participating in the metal-binding and the half-cystine residues forming the intramolecular disulfide bridge are highly conserved. The invariant amino acids Pro 74 and Asp 76 of the four vertebrate and yeast superoxide dismutases were found to be substituted by arginine and alanine, respectively, in the Neurospora enzyme. These radical substitutions occurring in the zinc ligand region, known to form a characteristic loop structure in bovine erythrocyte copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Tainer, J. A., Getzoff, E. D., Beem, K. M., Richardson, J. S., and Richardson, D. C. (1982) J. Mol. Biol. 160, 181-217), however, do not affect the catalytic properties of the Neurospora enzyme.     

Identity of the metal ligands in the manganese- and iron-containing superoxide dismutases

Alignment of the amino acid sequence of peptides obtained following digestion of Photobacterium leiognathi iron superoxide dismutase with the known sequence of Bacillus stearothermophilus manganese superoxide dismutase shows that the residues found to form ligands to the manganese are conserved in the iron enzyme. This indicates that the metal ligands in both proteins are identical.     

Cloning and characterization of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa sodA and sodB genes encoding manganese- and iron-cofactored superoxide dismutase: demonstration of increased manganese superoxide dismutase activity in alginate-producing bacteria.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a strict aerobe which is likely exposed to oxygen reduction products including superoxide and hydrogen peroxide during the metabolism of molecular oxygen. To counterbalance the potentially hazardous effects of elevated endogenous levels of superoxide, most aerobic organisms possess one or more superoxide dismutases or compounds capable of scavenging superoxide. We have previously shown that P. aeruginosa possesses both an iron- and a manganese-cofactored superoxide dismutase (D. J. Hassett, L. Charniga, K. A. Bean, D. E. Ohman, and M. S. Cohen, Infect. Immun. 60:328-336, 1992). In this study, the genes encoding manganese (sodA)- and iron (sodB)- cofactored superoxide dismutase were cloned by using a cosmid library of P. aeruginosa FRD which complemented an Escherichia coli (JI132) strain devoid of superoxide dismutase activity. The sodA and sodB genes of P. aeruginosa, when cloned into a high-copy-number vector (pKS-), partially restored the aerobic growth rate defect, characteristic of the Sod- strain, to that of the wild type (AB1157) when grown in Luria broth. The nucleotide sequences of sodA and sodB have open reading frames of 612 and 579 bp that encode dimeric proteins of 22.9 and 21.2 kDa, respectively. These data were also supported by the results of in vitro expression studies. The deduced amino acid sequence of the P. aeruginosa manganese and iron superoxide dismutase revealed approximately 50 and 67% similarity with manganese and iron superoxide dismutases from E. coli, respectively. There was also remarkable similarity with iron and manganese superoxide dismutases from other phyla. The mRNA start site of sodB was mapped to 174 bp upstream of the ATG codon. A likely promoter with similarity to the -10 and -35 consensus sequence of E. coli was observed upstream of the ATG start codon of sodB. Regions sequenced 519 bp upstream of the sodA electrophoresis, sodA gene revealed no such promoter, suggesting an alternative mode of control for sodA. By transverse field electrophoresis, sodA and sodB were mapped to the 71- to 75-min region on the P. aeruginosa PAO1 chromosome. Strikingly, mucoid alginate-producing bacteria generated greater levels of manganese superoxide dismutase than nonmucoid revertants, suggesting that mucoid P. aeruginosa is responding to oxidative stress and/or changes in the redox status of the cell.     

Characterization of cDNAs encoding CuZn-superoxide dismutases in Scots pine

A Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) cDNA library was screened with two heterologous cDNA probes (P31 and T10) encoding cytosolic and chloroplastic superoxide dismutases (SOD) from tomato. Several positive clones for cytosolic and chloroplastic superoxide dismutases were isolated, subcloned, mapped and sequenced. One of the cDNA clones (PS3) had a full-length open reading frame of 465 bp corresponding to 154 amino acid residues and showed approximately 85% homology with the amino acid sequences of angiosperm cytosolic SOD counterparts. Another cDNA clone (PST13) was incomplete, but encoded a putative protein with 93% homology to pea and tomato chloroplastic superoxide dismutase. The derived amino acid sequence from both cDNA clones matched the corresponding N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified mature SOD isozymes. Northern blot hybridizations showed that, cytosolic and chloroplastic CuZn-SOD are expressed at different levels in Scots pine organs. Sequence data and Southern blot hybridization confirm that CuZn-SODs in Scots pine belong to a multigene family. The results are discussed in relation to earlier observations of CuZn-SODs in plants.     

Iron-containing superoxide dismutase from Crithidia fasciculata. Purification, characterization, and similarity to Leishmanial and trypanosomal enzymes

Leishmania tropica, Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Crithidia fasciculata have superoxide dismutases which are insensitive to cyanide and sensitive to peroxide and azide, properties characteristic of iron-containing superoxide dismutase. Studies on the superoxide dismutase of C. fasciculata have revealed that: 1) the enzyme is located in the cytosol; 2) isozymes exist; 3) the major superoxide dismutase isozyme (superoxide dismutase 2) has Mr approximately equal to 43,000 and consists of two equal-sized subunits, each of which contains 1.4 atoms of iron. Comparisons of the amino acid content of this crithidial superoxide dismutase with those of superoxide dismutases from other sources suggests that the crithidial enzyme is closely related to bacterial Fe-containing superoxide dismutases, and only distantly related to human Mn- and Cu,Zn-containing superoxide dismutases and to Euglena Fe-containing superoxide dismutase. Attempts are now underway to develop specific inhibitors of the trypanosomatid superoxide dismutase which may be of use in the treatment of leishmaniasis or trypanosomiasis.     

A Streptococcus mutans superoxide dismutase that is active with either manganese or iron as a cofactor

The superoxide dismutase produced by Streptococcus mutans OMZ176 during aerobic growth in a chemically defined medium (modified FMC) that was treated with Chelex 100 (to lower trace metal contamination) and supplemented with high purity manganese was purified (162-fold) by heat treatment, ammonium sulfate precipitation, and chromatofocusing chromatography. The superoxide dismutase produced during aerobic growth in the same medium, but without manganese and supplemented with high purity iron, was similarly purified (220-fold). The molecular masses of each holoenzyme were approximately 43,000 with a subunit mass of 20,700, indicating that the enzymes were dimers of two equally sized subunits. The superoxide dismutase from manganese-grown cells was a manganese enzyme (MnSOD) containing 1.2 atoms of manganese and 0.25 atoms of iron/subunit. The superoxide dismutase from iron-grown cells was an iron enzyme (FeSOD) containing 0.07 atoms of manganese and 0.78 atoms of iron/subunit. The amino acid compositions of the MnSOD and the FeSOD were virtually identical, and their amino-terminal sequences were identical through the first 22 amino acids. Dialysis of the FeSOD with o-phenanthroline and sodium ascorbate generated aposuperoxide dismutase with 94% loss of activity; subsequent dialysis of apoenzyme with either manganese sulfate or ferrous sulfate reconstituted activity (recoveries of 37 and 30%, respectively). Electrophoretic determination of cytoplasmic radioiron distribution indicated that (during aerobic growth) manganese prevented insertion of iron into superoxide dismutase, although the iron levels of at least two other cytoplasmic fractions were not altered by manganese. Therefore, S. mutans used the same aposuperoxide dismutase to form either FeSOD or MnSOD, depending upon which metal was available in the culture medium. Such "cambialistic" enzymes (those capable of making a cofactor substitution) may represent a previously unrecognized family of superoxide dismutases.     

Iron superoxide dismutase. Nucleotide sequence of the gene from Escherichia coli K12 and correlations with crystal structures

The nucleotide sequence of the iron superoxide dismutase gene from Escherichia coli K12 has been determined. Analysis of the DNA sequence and mapping of the mRNA start reveal a unique promoter and a putative rho-independent terminator, and suggest that the Fe dismutase gene constitutes a monocistronic operon. The gene encodes a polypeptide product consisting of 192 amino acid residues with a calculated Mr of 21,111. The published N-terminal amino acid sequence of E. coli B Fe dismutase (Steinman, H. M., and Hill, R. L. (1973) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 70, 3725-3729), along with the sequences of seven other peptides reported here, was located in the primary structure deduced from the K12 E. coli gene sequence. A new molecular model for iron dismutase from E. coli, based on the DNA sequence and x-ray data for the E. coli B enzyme at 3.1 A resolution, allows detailed comparison of the structure of the iron enzyme with manganese superoxide dismutase from Thermus thermophilus HB8. The structural similarities are more extensive than indicated by earlier studies and are particularly striking in the vicinity of the metal-ligand cluster, which is surrounded by conserved aromatic residues. The combined structural and sequence information now available for a series of Mn and Fe superoxide dismutases identifies variable regions in these otherwise very similar molecules; the principal variable site occurs in a surface region between the two long helices which dominate the N-terminal domain.     

Characterization of a Manganese Superoxide Dismutase from the Higher Plant Pisum sativum

A manganese-containing superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1) was fully characterized from leaves of the higher plant Pisum sativum L., var. Lincoln. The amino acid composition determined for the enzyme was compared with that of a wide spectrum of superoxide dismutases and found to have a highest degree of homology with the mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutases from rat liver and yeast. The enzyme showed an apparent pH optimum of 8.6 and at 25°C had a maximum stability at alkaline pH values. By kinetic competition experiments, the rate constant for the disproportionation of superoxide radicals by pea leaf manganese superoxide dismutase was found to be 1.61 × 10⁹ molar⁻¹·second⁻¹ at pH 7.8 and 25°C. The enzyme was not sensitive to NaCN or to H₂O₂, but was inhibited by N₃⁻. The sulfhydryl reagent p-hydroxymercuribenzoate at 1 mm concentration produced a nearly complete inhibition of the manganese superoxide dismutase activity. The metal chelators o-phenanthroline, EDTA, and diethyldithiocarbamate all inhibited activity slightly in decreasing order of intensity. A comparative study between this higher plant manganese superoxide dismutase and other dismutases from different origins is presented.     

Superoxide Dismutase and Oxygen Metabolism in Streptococcus faecalis and Comparisons with Other Organisms

Streptococcus faecalis contains a single superoxide dismutase that has been purified to homogeneity with a 55% yield. This enzyme has a molecular weight of 45,000 and is composed of two subunits of equal size. It contains 1.3 atoms of manganese per molecule. Its amino acid composition was determined and is compared with that for the superoxide dismutases from Escherichia coli, Streptococcus mutans, and Mycobacterium lepraemurium. When used as an antigen in rabbits, the S. faecalis enzyme elicited the formation of a precipitating and inhibiting antibody. This antibody cross-reacted with the superoxide dismutase present in another strain of S. faecalis, but neither inhibited nor precipitated the superoxide dismutases in a wide range of other bacteria, including several other streptococci, such as S. pyogenes, S. pneumoniae, and S. lactis. The inhibiting antibody was used to suppress the superoxide dismutase activity present in cell extracts of S. faecalis and thus allow the demonstration that 17% of the total oxygen consumption by such extracts, in the presence of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, was associated with the production of O(2) (-). A variety of bacterial species were surveyed for their content of superoxide dismutases. The iron-containing enzyme was distinguished from the manganese-containing enzyme through the use of H(2)O(2), which inactivates the former more readily than the latter. Some of the bacteria appeared to contain only the iron enzyme, others only the manganese enzyme, and still others both. Indeed, some had multiple, electrophoretically distinct superoxide dismutases in both categories. There was no discernible absolute relationship between the types of superoxide dismutases in a particular organism and their Gram-stain reaction.     

Primary structure of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase of Brassica oleracea proves homology with corresponding enzymes of animals, fungi and prokaryotes

The complete amino-acid sequence of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase from white cabbage (Brassica oleracea) is reported. The polypeptide chain consists of 151 amino acids and has a molecular mass of 15,604 Da. The primary structure of the reduced and S-carboxymethylated protein was determined by automated solid phase sequence analysis of tryptic fragments and peptides obtained by digestion with Staphylococcus aureus proteinase V8. The protein shows a free amino terminus as was found for all non-mammalian Cu-Zn enzymes so far sequenced. Comparison of the amino-acid sequence from the plant Cu-Zn enzyme with those from nine eukaryotic enzymes reveals a high degree of homology (50-64%) among these enzymes. As already described for all the eukaryotic Cu-Zn superoxide dismutases also the plant enzyme shows a low homology (about 28%) with the bacteriocuprein of Photobacterium leiognathi. However, the amino-acid residues involved in metal binding, the half-cystine residues forming the intermolecular disulfide bridge, one of the arginine and some glycine and proline residues are conserved in all eleven Cu-Zn superoxide dismutases. Although the precise role of the 23 completely conserved residues is not yet completely understood, they appear to almost define the minimum structural requirements for optimizing the superoxide dismutation at the catalytic site, since functional differences between the eleven enzymes are not detectable.     

The amino-acid sequence of rabbit Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase

The primary structure of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase from rabbit liver was investigated. The reduced and S-carboxymethylated enzyme was treated with cyanogen bromide, trypsin or Staphylococcus aureus proteinase V8. The resulting peptides were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography and sequenced by automated Edman degradation. With the exception of the N- and C-terminus the complete sequence was established by means of overlapping peptides. The N-terminus is blocked and thus not susceptible to Edman degradation. The amino-acid composition of the tryptic N-terminal peptide corresponds to that of the cytoplasmatic Cu-Zn superoxide dismutases of other mammals investigated. The chromatographic behaviour of these N-terminal peptides on a reversed phase C18 column is also identical, thus suggesting also for the rabbit Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase the N-terminal sequence Ac-Ala-Thr-Lys. The C-terminus was demonstrated to have the sequence -Ile-Ala-Pro by enzymatic degradation with carboxypeptidase Y. The complete amino-acid sequence of the rabbit Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase consists of 152 amino-acids and shows the expected homology to other Cu-Zn enzymes published so far. The aspartate and six histidine residues known to complex the metal ions are conserved at homologous positions. This also applies for the arginine residue near the C-terminus which is supposed to direct the anionic superoxide radical towards the active centre of the enzyme. The amino acid sequence of the rabbit Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase corresponds to those of other mammals in more than 80% of its amino-acid residues. From a total of 152 amino-acid residues the rabbit shares with rat 128, with mouse 130, with horse 127, with pig 126/127, with cattle 130 and with man 131 amino acids in homologous positions. However the Cu-Zn superoxide dismutases of closely related mammals like rats and mice differ in only five amino acid residues of their sequence. A phylogenetic closer relatedness between lagomorphs and rodents than between other orders of mammals, could not be derived from the sequence data given. Rather rodents and lagomorphs are to be considered as two evolutionary independent orders of mammals.     

The amino-acid sequence of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase from swordfish liver. Comparison of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase sequences

The amino acid sequence of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase from swordfish (Xiphias gladius) liver has been determined by alignment of the tryptic peptides according to the known sequence of bovine erythrocyte copper/zinc superoxide dismutase. This alignment has resulted in the ligands to the copper (His-47, 49, 76 and 94) and the zinc (His-76, 85, 134 and Asp-97) being conserved in all the copper/zinc superoxide dismutases sequenced so far. Also conserved in the sequences are the cysteines forming the intrachain disulphide bridge (Cys-58 and 160) and the essential arginine (Arg-157). Comparison of the amino acid sequence of swordfish liver copper/zinc superoxide dismutase with the bovine, human, horse, yeast and Photobacterium leiognathi indicates that the swordfish enzyme has a high homology with the other eukaryotic enzymes. Low homology is, however, observed with the P. leiognathi enzyme.     

The amino acid sequence of mangano superoxide dismutase from Escherichia coli B.

The complete amino acid sequence of the mangano superoxide dismutase from Escherichia coli B has been deduced through characterization of peptides from cyanogen bromide, bromonitrophenylsulfenyl skatole, citraconylated tryptic, and succinylated tryptic digests of the intact polypeptide chain and through subfragmentation of selected peptides with chymotrypsin, thermolysin, trypsin, and Staphylococcus aureus V8 extracellular protease. No significant homology is detected on comparison with the sequence of the copper- and zinc-containing superoxide dismutase from bovine erythrocytes, indicating that the manganese-iron and the copper-zinc classes of dismutases arose from independent evolutionary ancestors, a proposal previously based solely on enzymological and NH2-terminal sequence data. The amino acid sequence listed below corresponds to a molecular weight of 22,900 and appears to be identical in each subunit polypeptide of the native enzyme dimer. formula: (see text).     

Purification of a manganese-containing superoxide dismutase from Halobacterium halobium

An oxygen-induced superoxide dismutase was purified from the halophilic bacterium, Halobacterium halobium, strain NRL. Due to the high salt requirement for enzyme stability, the purification had to be performed in the presence of 2 M NaCl. The pI of the protein was 4.95. The approximate Mr was 38,500. The subunit size as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-electrophoresis was approximately 19,000. Metal analysis showed 1.5 atoms of manganese per dimer, 0.5 atom zinc, and 1.54 atoms copper. The N-terminal sequence of amino acids was determined, and based upon the first 26 amino acids significant homology to other manganese- and iron-containing superoxide dismutases was revealed.