New role for an old molecule: The 2,3-diphosphoglycerate case

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Cell Biology
• Oxidative Stress

Background:

• Aerobic organisms generate dangerous reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) during cellular respiration.
• 2,3-Diphosphoglycerate (DPG) is a molecule with potential roles in cellular protection.
• DPG may assist cellular components, like hemoglobin, in scavenging ROS and RNS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the kinetic and antioxidant properties of DPG against biological reactive species.
• To determine the protective role of DPG on hemoglobin exposed to oxidants.

Main Methods:

• Investigated DPG's antioxidant properties against key biological reactive species.
• Assessed DPG's protective effects on hemoglobin treated with oxidants like nitrite and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BOOH).

Main Results:

• DPG effectively scavenges hydroxyl radical, peroxyl radical, and cation radicals at physiological concentrations.
• DPG chelates reduced iron and prevents hemoglobin iron oxidation when treated with nitrite and t-BOOH.
• DPG does not protect membrane components from oxidative damage due to its polarity and charged groups, limiting its action in hydrophobic environments.

Conclusions:

• DPG exhibits antioxidant capabilities, acting as a scavenger of various reactive species.
• This study highlights a novel role for DPG beyond its function as an oxygen affinity modulator for hemoglobin.
• DPG's protective effect is specific to hemoglobin and does not extend to membrane components.