Iron superoxide dismutases: structure and function of an archaic enzyme
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2026

Simultaneous Measurement of Superoxide/Hydrogen Peroxide and NADH Production by Flavin-containing Mitochondrial Dehydrogenases
Published on: February 24, 2018
1Institute of Biochemistry, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, D-23538 Lübeck, Germany. guenter.schaefer@biochem.uni-luebeck.de
Abstract:
Iron and manganese superoxide dismutases are phylogenetically closely related. They are compared by in silico analysis with regard to their metal specificity and their three-dimensional structure. Special attention is given to the structure and properties of superoxide dismutases from archaeal prokaryotes. The mechanism and the extreme thermostability of superoxide dismutase from Sulfolobus acidocaldarius are discussed on the basis of its high-resolution X-ray structure. An alternating-site mechanism and an evolutionary origin of superoxide dismutases under the environmental conditions on the early Earth are proposed.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
The Supercomplexes in the Crista Membrane
Electron Transport Chain: Complex III and IV
Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
The Electron Transport Chain
Inhibitors of the electron transport chain
Rotenone, a widely used pesticide, prevents electron transfer from Fe-S cluster to ubiquinone or Q in...
Microbes and Other Elemental Cycles
Enzymes
Enzyme deficiencies can often translate into life-threatening diseases. For example, a genetic abnormality resulting in the deficiency of the enzyme G6PD...

![Protein Film Infrared Electrochemistry Demonstrated for Study of H2 Oxidation by a [NiFe] Hydrogenase](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F55858.jpg&w=3840&q=50)