Супероксиддисмутаза

Any of a type of antioxidant metalloenzymes that occur in aerobic and facultatitive bacteria and in eukarotes. They catalyze a reaction in which two molecules of the highly toxic, highly reactive, superoxide anion is converted into one molecule each of hydrogen peroxide and molecular oxygen.

Based on the metal cofactors present in the active sites, Superoxide dismutases (SODs) can be classified into four distinct groups: Copper-Zinc-SOD (Cu, Zn-SOD), Iron SOD (Fe-SOD), Manganese SOD (Mn-SOD), and Nickel SOD. The enzyme can serve as an anti-inflammatory agent and can also prevent precancerous cell changes. SOD is used in cosmetics and personal care products as an anti-aging ingredient and antioxidant due to its ability to reduce free radical damage to the skin, therefore preventing wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots, and it also helps with wound healing, softens scar tissue, protects against UV rays, and reduces other signs of aging. It has been reported that SOD has an important link in several human health problems including RBC-related disorders, cystic fibrosis (CF), postcholecystectomy pain syndrome, malignant breast disease, steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, neuronal apoptosis, AIDS, and cancer. In many animal models having myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, inflammation, cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, etc., SOD enzymes are found to be very effective. Furthermore, a strong association between the activity of SOD and Alzheimer's disease has been suggested by some researchers[1-2].

Superoxide dismutases are a group of low molecular weight metalloproteins present in all aerobic cells of plants, animals and micro-organisms. They provide protection against damaging reactions with the superoxide radical anion (O2-) by catalyzing its disproportionation into oxygen and hydrogen peroxide.

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is the only antioxidant enzyme that scavenges the superoxide anion by converting this free radical to oxygen and hydrogen peroxide, thus preventing peroxynitrite production and further damage. Superoxide dismutase is extensively researched and used in anti-inflammatory, antitumor, radiation protection, and antisenility applications.

The dismutase is purified by DEAE-Sepharose and copper chelate affinity chromatography. The preparation is homogeneous by SDS-PAGE, by analytical gel filtration chromatography and by isoelectric focusing.