Absence of the iron-containing superoxide dismutase in mitochondria from mustard (Brassica campestris)

Mitochondria were isolated from mature leaves as well as etiolated seedlings of Brassica campestris (mustard), a eukaryote previously shown to possess the iron-containing isoenzyme of superoxide dismutase. On the basis of KCN- and H2O2-sensitivity, and on polyacrylamide-gel analysis, only the cuprozinc and mangano superoxide dismutases were found in mitochondria. The iron-containing enzyme was absent. The mangano enzyme was found in the mitochondrial matrix, whereas the cuprozinc enzyme appeared to be localized in the intermembrane space.