Erythrocuprein, also Known as Superoxide Dismutase, Is a Hydroquinone Oxidase, and Imparts Resistance to Mitomycin C

Authors

  • Philip G. Penketh Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20455/ros.2022.c803

Keywords:

Cancer chemotherapy; Drug resistance; Hydrogen peroxide; Hydroquinone oxidase; Hypoxia; MCRA; Mitomycin C; Superoxide dismutase; Ubiquinone; Ubiquinol oxidase; Ubiquinol

Abstract

The enzymatic function of superoxide dismutase (SOD) is proposed to be as a ubiquinol oxidase. The SOD activity of this protein is likely a consequence of the necessary dismutation of superoxide (O2˙ˉ), generated as an enzyme-bound intermediate during its normal activity. The relatively low specificity of this enzyme for hydroquinones allowed it to oxidize a wide range of hydroquinone substrates. The general hydroquinone oxidase activity of this enzyme would thus enable it to behave as a mammalian analogue to bacterial mitomycin C resistance protein (MCRA). This would account for its elevated activity in cells expressing resistance against mitomycin C, porfiromycin, and related analogues, since superoxide itself is relatively nontoxic.

(First online: May 31, 2022)

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Published

2022-05-31

How to Cite

Penketh, P. G. (2022). Erythrocuprein, also Known as Superoxide Dismutase, Is a Hydroquinone Oxidase, and Imparts Resistance to Mitomycin C. Reactive Oxygen Species, 12, c6–c13. https://doi.org/10.20455/ros.2022.c803

Issue

Vol. 12 (2022): 2022-01–12 (Jan to Dec)

Section

OPINION & COMMENTARY

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