Cu(I)-glutathione complex: A potential source of superoxide radicals generation

Speisky H.; Gómez, M.; Carrasco-Pozo, C; Pastene, E.; Lopez-Alarcon, C; Olea Azar C.

Abstract

Cu 2+ ions and GSH molecules interact swiftly to form the complex Cu(I)-glutathione. We investigated the potential capacity of such complex to reduce molecular oxygen. The addition of SOD to a solution containing Cu(I)-glutathione led to a sustained decline of the basal oxygen level. Such effect was partially reverted by the addition of catalase. The complex was able to induce the reduction of cytochrome c and the oxidation of dyhydroethidium into 2-hydroxyethidium. Both effects were totally blocked by SOD. The ability of the complex to generate superoxide radicals was confirmed by EPR spin-trapping. Cu(I)-glutathione induces no oxidation of fluorescein, a hydroxyl radical-sensitive probe. We conclude that in solutions containing the complex, oxygen is continually reduced into superoxide, and that-in absence of interceptors-the latter radicals are quantitatively re-oxidized into molecular oxygen. We suggest that, by functioning as a continuous source of superoxide, the complex could potentially affect a broad range of susceptible biological targets. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Más información

Título según WOS: Cu(I)-glutathione complex: A potential source of superoxide radicals generation
Título según SCOPUS: Cu(I)-Glutathione complex: A potential source of superoxide radicals generation
Título de la Revista: BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
Volumen: 16
Número: 13
Editorial: PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
Fecha de publicación: 2008
Página de inicio: 6568
Página final: 6574
Idioma: English
URL: http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0968089608004550
DOI:

10.1016/j.bmc.2008.05.026

Notas: ISI, SCOPUS