Study Progress of Cu,Zn Superoxide Dismutase——From Gene to Function

Superoxide Dismutase(SOD)(EC 1.15.1.1)is a metalloenzyme that is found in almost all organisms and catalyzes the dismutation of superoxide anion radical to hydrogen peroxide and molecular oxygen.Three unique and highly compartmentalized mammalian SOD have been biochemically and molecularly characterized to date:Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase(CuZnSOD,SOD1), MnSOD(Manganese Superoxide Dismutase,SOD2)and EC-SOD(Extracellular Superoxide Dismutase,SOD3).Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase(CuZnSOD,SOD1)is a copper and zinc-containing homodimer that is found almost exclusively in intracellular cytoplasmic spaces.CuZnSOD is widely distributed and comprises about 90% of the total SOD.Cytoplasmic and periplasmic SOD exists as dimers, whereas chloroplastic and extracellular enzymes exist as tetramers.Structure supports independent functional evolution in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.CuZnSOD are thought to protect the brain,lungs,and other tissues from oxidative stress.This paper reviewed the gene, molecular and chemical structure and biological function of CuZnSOD.