Scavenging of oxygen radicals by heme peroxidases

The reactions of two heme peroxidases, horseradish peroxidase and lactoperoxidase and their compounds II (oxoferryl heme intermediates, Fe(IV) = O or ferric protein radical Fe(III)R.) and compounds III (resonance hybrids [Fe(III)-O2-.<--> Fe(II)-O2] with superoxide radical anion generated enzymatically or radiolytically, and with hydroxyl radicals generated radiolytically, were investigated. It is suggested that only the protein radical form of compound II of lactoperoxidase reacts with superoxide, whereas compound II of horseradish peroxidase, which exists only in oxoferryl form, is unreactive towards superoxide. Compound III of the investigated peroxidases does not react with superoxide. The lactoperoxidase activity loss induced by hydroxyl radicals is closely related to the loss of the ability to form compound I (oxoferryl porphyrin pi-cation radical, Fe(IV) = O(Por+.) or oxoferryl protein radical Fe(IV) = O(R.)). On the other hand, the modification of horseradish peroxidase induced by hydroxyl radicals has been reported to cause also restrictions in substrate binding (Gebicka, L. & Gebicki, J.L., 1996, Biochimie 78, 62-65). Nevertheless, it has been found that only a small fraction of hydroxyl radicals generated homogeneously does inactivate the enzymes.