Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Detection of Nitric Oxide and Superoxide Radical Anion by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy from Cells using Spin Traps
Published on: August 18, 2012
How superoxide radical damages the cell
1Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, P.O. Box 24923, Safat 13110, Kuwait.
Abstract:
Superoxide is considered to be poorly reactive, and cell damage has been attributed to HO. generated via the Haber-Weiss reaction. The function of O2- in this reaction is only to reduce Fe3+ to Fe2+. In vivo, however, superoxide could not out-compete cellular reductants such as glutathione, NADPH, and ascorbate, which makes the observed O2- toxicity rather puzzling. Little attention has been paid to the idea that, irrespective of its poor chemical reactivity, superoxide might be capable of interacting directly with specific intracellular targets; and that even the Haber-Weiss reaction might be a consequence of such direct interactions. This paper summarizes latest data that support the concept of such a mechanism.
Related Concept Videos
The Supercomplexes in the Crista Membrane
Electron Transport Chain: Complex III and IV
Radical Autoxidation
Bioactivation and Tissue Toxicity
Cellular Injury I: Introduction
Cellular Injury IV: Necrosis

