Association of Cu,Zn-type superoxide dismutase with mitochondria and peroxisomes

The subcellular localization of Cu,Zn-type superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD) was investigated in rat tissues and cultured human fibroblasts. Subcellular fractionation, Nycodenz gradient centrifugation, and immunoblot analysis using specific antibodies showed that Cu,Zn-SOD was localized in cytosol, mitochondria, and peroxisomes of rat liver and brain. Treatment of highly purified mitochondria from rat liver with either Chaps or Triton X-100 released the bound Cu,Zn-SOD into supernatant fraction. Depolarization of mitochondria by inorganic phosphate and Ca(2+) released both Cu,Zn-SOD and cytochrome c from mitochondria. Digitonin also released Cu,Zn-SOD but not cytochrome c from mitochondria. Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that anti-Cu,Zn-SOD antibody in cultured human fibroblasts was found to colocalize with antibodies to Mn-SOD and PMP-70, markers of mitochondria and peroxisomes, respectively. Incubation of human Cu,Zn-SOD with purified mitochondria resulted in their association. These results indicate that Cu,Zn-SOD associates with mitochondria and peroxisomes in various cell types such as those in brain, liver, and skin.