Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026
08:57
Simultaneous Measurement of Superoxide/Hydrogen Peroxide and NADH Production by Flavin-containing Mitochondrial Dehydrogenases
Published on: February 24, 2018
Autocatalysed oxidative modifications to 2-oxoglutarate dependent oxygenases
Monica Mantri1, Zhihong Zhang, Michael A McDonough
1Department of Chemistry and the Oxford Centre for Integrative Systems Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
The FEBS Journal
|January 19, 2012
Summary
Ferrous iron enzymes, including 2-oxoglutarate-dependent oxygenases, perform diverse oxidations. Their flexibility may lead to oxidative damage, unlike P450 enzymes, a risk reviewed here.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Enzymology
- Oxidative Biochemistry
Background:
- Ferrous iron and 2-oxoglutarate-dependent oxygenases catalyze a vast array of oxidative reactions, representing a highly versatile enzyme family.
- Their catalytic flexibility is linked to a non-heme iron-binding site using two or three protein ligands.
- This flexibility may render them susceptible to oxidative damage compared to P450 oxidases with more controlled iron environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence of autocatalysed oxidative modifications in 2-oxoglutarate-dependent oxygenases.
- To discuss recent findings on human enzymes within this class.
- To examine oxidative fragmentations in plant ethylene-forming enzyme (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase).
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on ferrous iron and 2-oxoglutarate-dependent oxygenases.
- Analysis of reported oxidative modifications and damage mechanisms.
- Comparative analysis with P450 oxidase systems.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests 2-oxoglutarate-dependent oxygenases are prone to autocatalysed oxidative damage due to their flexible active site.
- Recent studies highlight these modifications in human enzymes.
- Oxidative fragmentation is a documented phenomenon, exemplified by the plant ethylene-forming enzyme.
Conclusions:
- The catalytic flexibility of 2-oxoglutarate-dependent oxygenases, while enabling diverse reactions, presents a vulnerability to oxidative self-damage.
- Understanding these oxidative pathways is crucial for comprehending enzyme stability and function, particularly in human systems and plant biochemistry.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Radical Autoxidation
The oxidation of an organic compound in the presence of air or oxygen is called autoxidation. For example, cumene reacts with oxygen to form hydroperoxide. Autoxidation involves initiation, propagation, and termination steps. Many organic compounds are susceptible to autoxidation—especially ethers in the presence of oxygen, which form hydroperoxides. Even though this reaction is slow, old ether bottles contain small amounts of peroxide, which leads to laboratory explosions during ether...
01:15Pyruvate Oxidation
After glycolysis, the charged pyruvate molecules enter the mitochondria via active transport and undergo three enzymatic reactions. These reactions ensure that pyruvate can enter the next metabolic pathway so that energy stored in the pyruvate molecules can be harnessed by the cells.
First, the enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase removes the carboxyl group from pyruvate and releases it as carbon dioxide. The stripped molecule is then oxidized and releases electrons, which are then picked up by NAD+...
First, the enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase removes the carboxyl group from pyruvate and releases it as carbon dioxide. The stripped molecule is then oxidized and releases electrons, which are then picked up by NAD+...
01:15Oxidations of Aldehydes and Ketones to Carboxylic Acids
Oxidation of aldehydes and ketones results in the formation of carboxylic acids. Aldehydes, bearing hydrogen next to the carbonyl group, are easily oxidized compared to ketones. This is because an aldehydic proton can easily be abstracted during oxidation.
Aldehydes readily undergo oxidation in strong oxidizing agents such as potassium permanganate and chromic acid. The oxidation can also be carried out using mild oxidizing agents such as silver oxide. In fact, aldehydes can be easily oxidized...
Aldehydes readily undergo oxidation in strong oxidizing agents such as potassium permanganate and chromic acid. The oxidation can also be carried out using mild oxidizing agents such as silver oxide. In fact, aldehydes can be easily oxidized...
01:29Oxygen Requirements and Growth Patterns
Microorganisms exhibit diverse oxygen requirements and growth patterns driven by their metabolic strategies and environmental adaptations. Oxygen, while essential for many organisms, can also be toxic under certain conditions, shaping how microorganisms grow and survive.Oxygen Requirements of MicroorganismsMicroorganisms are classified based on their ability to use or tolerate oxygen:● Obligate aerobes like Mycobacterium tuberculosis need oxygen for energy production, as it serves as the...
02:23Autoxidation of Ethers to Peroxides and Hydroperoxides
Ethers represent a class of chemical compounds that become more dangerous with prolonged storage because they tend to form explosive peroxides when standing in the air. Autoxidation is the spontaneous oxidation of a compound in air. In the presence of oxygen, ethers slowly oxidize to form hydroperoxides and dialkyl peroxides.
01:46Oxidative Cleavage of Alkenes: Ozonolysis
In ozonolysis, ozone is used to cleave a carbon–carbon double bond to form aldehydes and ketones, or carboxylic acids, depending on the work-up.
Ozone is a symmetrical bent molecule stabilized by a resonance structure.
Ozone is a symmetrical bent molecule stabilized by a resonance structure.