BACKGROUND CuZn-Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is a unique enzyme, which can catalyzes the dismutation of inevitable metabolic product i.e.; superoxide anion into molecular oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. The enzyme has gained wide interest in pharmaceutical industries due to its highly acclaimed antioxidative properties. The recombinant expression of this protein in its enzymatically active and stab...

The activity of Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase in the fluid obtained from eye lens capsules after cataract surgery was investigated in samples obtained from patients with senile cataract and with senile cataract combined with diabetes mellitus. Two parameters were measured and compared: the frequency of occurrence of detected superoxide dismutase activity and the relative activity of the enzyme in ...

Superoxide dismutase has been studied in a wide range of organisms (Fridovich, 1975). Early observations suggested that superoxide dismutases isolated from eukaryotes (McCord & Fridovich, 1969; Misra & Fridovich, 1972; Beauchamp & Fridovich, 1973) showed little diversity in their properties, having mol.wts. near 32000 and containing two copper and two zinc atoms per molecule. The activity of th...

The major superoxide dismutase of the unicellular red alga, Porphyridium cruentum, has been purified to homogeneity. This enzyme has a molecular weight of 40,000 and is composed of two subunits of equal size, which are joined by noncovalent interactions. Manganese constituted 0.13% of this superoxide dismutase. T,is is equivalent to 1 manganese atom/molecule of enzyme. Cyanide at 5 mM and H2O2 ...

Nectarin I, a protein that accumulates in the nectar of Nicotiana sp. , was determined to contain superoxide dismutase activity by colorimetric and in-gel assays. This activity was found to be remarkably thermostable. Extended incubations at temperatures up to 90 degrees C did not diminish the superoxide dismutase activity of nectarin I. This attribute allowed nectarin I to be purified to homog...

Superoxide dismutase has been identified and peroxidatic activity demonstrated in Mycobacterium leprae. The superoxide dismutase, shown indirectly to be a manganese-containing enzyme, was present at low activity in the cell-free extract. Peroxidatic activity was detected in a haemoprotein on polyacrylamide gels, but quantitative assay was not possible. Catalase, although present in a cell-free ...

Acute cerebral ischemia increases the generation of free radicals, causing cell damage, and theoretically may decrease the activity of the scavenging enzyme superoxide dismutase. To investigate the role of superoxide dismutase in cerebral ischemia, we used a model of middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats. In this model an infarct is produced in the pyriform and frontoparietal cortices, exten...

The major superoxide dismutase ("slow" electromorph) of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, has been purified to homogeneity. This enzyme contains 2 Cu2+ and 2 Zn2+/molecule. The ultraviolet absorption spectrum indicates a lack of tryptophan. This enzyme has a molecular weight of 32,000 and is composed of two subunits of equal size, which are joined by noncovalent interactions. Cyanide at 1...

An Escherichia coli double mutant, sodAsodB, that is deficient in both bacterial superoxide dismutases (Mn superoxide dismutase and iron superoxide dismutase) is unable to grow on minimal medium in the presence of oxygen and exhibits increased sensitivity to paraquat and hydrogen peroxide. Expression of the evolutionarily unrelated eukaryotic CuZn superoxide dismutase in the sodAsodB E. coli mu...

Background: Blindness due to cataract is a major and important problem in Pakistan. The problem is expected to increase in future due to increase in tobacco smoking. The aim of study was to look for the mechanism associated with metal deposition and its effect on antioxidant enzymes in lens of smokers in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods: 20 cataract patients were randomly selected from Out Patient De...