Detection of structural change of superoxide dismutase in solution.

We have confirmed that dissociation of the dimeric SOD molecule into a monomeric one can be readily detected in solution by the use of capillary electrophoresis (CE), which is based on the fact that the peak height in the CE profile is highly dependent on the aggregation conditions of the protein molecule. Based on this fact, it has become apparent that the hydrogen peroxide molecule induces the dissociation of the dimeric structure of SOD, and this should give reasonable explanation for the inactivation of SOD by hydrogen peroxide. Our results may give a convenient way for the early detection of the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in patients, because we can estimate whether the SOD molecule is of a rigid or loosed dimeric structure by the use of this technique. The loosed one has been assumed to exhibit inherent toxicity of the copper center, so-called "gain-of-function" of the mutant SOD.

Oxidative renal tubular injuries induced by aminocarboxylate-type iron (III) coordination compounds as candidate renal carcinogens.

Oxidative renal tubular injuries and carcinogenesis induced by Fe(III)-nitrilotriacetate (NTA) and Fe(III)-ethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetate (EDDA) have been reported in rodent kidneys, but the identity of iron coordination structure essential for renal carcinogenesis, remains to be clarified. We compared renal tubular injuries caused by various low molecular weight aminocarboxylate type chelators with injuries due to NTA and EDDA. We found that Fe(III)-iminodiacetate (IDA), a novel iron-chelator, induced acute tubular injuries and lipid peroxidation to the same extent. We also prepared Fe(III)-IDA solutions at different pHs, and studied resultant oxidative injuries and physicochemical properties. The use of Fe(III)-IDA at pH 5.2, 6.2, and 7.2 resulted in renal tubular necrosis and apoptotic cell death, but neither tubular necrosis nor apoptosis was observed at pH 8.2. Spectrophotometric data suggested that Fe(III)-IDA had the same dimer structure from pH 6.2 to 7.2 as Fe(III)-NTA; but at a higher pH, iron polymerized and formed clusters. Fe(III)-IDA was crystallized, and this was confirmed by X-ray analysis and magnetic susceptibility measurements. These data indicated that Fe(III)-IDA possessed a linear mu-oxo bridged dinuclear iron (III) around neutral pH.

Structure of a new tetranuclear iron(III) complex with an oxo-bridge; factors to govern formation and stability of oxo-bridged iron(III) species in the L-subunit of ferritin.

We have investigated the reaction products of several iron(III) compounds with hydrogen peroxide, and have found that hydrogen peroxide promotes the formation of an oxo-bridged iron(III) species in the presence of methanol (electron donor), and carboxyl groups of the ligand systems play a role to give the tetranuclear iron(III) compound containing a bent Fe-O-Fe unit (O: oxo oxygen atom). Based on the present results and the facts that L-chains of human ferritins lack ferroxidase activity, but are richer in carboxyl groups (glutamates) exposed on the cavity surface, it seems reasonable to conclude that (i) the hydrogen peroxide released in the H-subunit may contribute to the formation of a diferric oxo-hydrate in the L-subunit, (ii) the formation of a bent oxo-bridged iron(III) species is essentially important in the L-subunit, and (iii) rich carboxyl groups in L-subunits contribute to facilitate iron nucleation and mineralization through the capture and activation of the peroxide ion, and formation of a stable bent oxo-bridged iron(III) species.