Role of the electrostatic loop of Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase in the copper uptake process

Structure of a superoxide dismutase from a tardigrade: Ramazzottius varieornatus strain YOKOZUNA-1

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is an essential and ubiquitous antioxidant protein that is widely present in biological systems. The anhydrobiotic tardigrades are some of the toughest micro-animals. They have an expanded set of genes for antioxidant proteins such as SODs. These proteins are thought to play an essential role in oxidative stress resistance in critical situations such as desiccation, although their functions at the molecular level have yet to be explored. Here, crystal structures of a copper/zinc-containing SOD (RvSOD15) from an anhydrobiotic tardigrade, Ramazzottius varieornatus strain YOKOZUNA-1, are reported. In RvSOD15, one of the histidine ligands of the catalytic copper center is replaced by a valine (Val87). The crystal structures of the wild type and the V87H mutant show that even though a histidine is placed at position 87, a nearby flexible loop can destabilize the coordination of His87 to the Cu atom. Model structures of other RvSODs were investigated and it was found that some of them are also unusual SODs, with features such as deletion of the electrostatic loop or β3 sheet and unusual metal-binding residues. These studies show that RvSOD15 and some other RvSODs may have evolved to lose the SOD function, suggesting that gene duplications of antioxidant proteins do not solely explain the high stress tolerance of anhydrobiotic tardigrades.

Exploring the Folding Mechanism of Dimeric Superoxide Dismutase

The Cu/Zn Human Superoxide Dismutase (SOD1) is a dimeric metalloenzyme whose genetic mutations are directly related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), so understanding its folding mechanism is of fundamental importance. Currently, the SOD1 dimer formation is studied via molecular dynamics simulations using a simplified structure-based model and an all-atom model. Results from the simplified model reveal a mechanism dependent on distances between monomers, which are limited by constraints to mimic concentration dependence. The stability of intermediates (during the int state) is significantly affected by this distance, as well as by the presence of two folded monomers prior to dimer formation. The kinetics of interface formation are also highly dependent on the separation distance. The folding temperature of the dimer is about 4.2% higher than that of the monomer, a value not too different from experimental data. All-atom simulations on the apo dimer give binding free energy between monomers similar to experimental values. An intermediate state is evident for the apo form at a separation distance between monomers slightly larger than the native distance which has little formed interface between monomers. We have shown that this intermediate is stabilized by non-native intra- and intercontacts.

Crystal structure of a Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase from the thermophilic fungus Chaetomium thermophilum

BACKGROUND

Thermophilic fungi have recently emerged as a promising source of thermostable enzymes. Superoxide dismutases are key antioxidant metalloenzymes with promising therapeutic effects in various diseases, both acute and chronic. However, structural heterogeneity and low thermostability limit their therapeutic efficacy.

OBJECTIVE

Although several studies from hypethermophilic superoxide dismutases (SODs) have been reported, information about Cu,Zn-SODs from thermophilic fungi is scarce. Chaetomium thermophilum is a thermophilic fungus that could provide proteins with thermophilic properties.

METHOD

The enzyme was expressed in Pichia pastoris cells and crystallized using the vapor-diffusion method. X-ray data were collected, and the structure was determined and refined to 1.56 Å resolution. Structural analysis and comparisons were carried out.

RESULTS

The presence of 8 molecules (A through H) in the asymmetric unit resulted in four different interfaces. Molecules A and F form the typical homodimer which is also found in other Cu,Zn-SODs. Zinc was present in all subunits of the structure while copper was found in only four subunits with reduced occupancy (C, D, E and F).

CONCLUSION

The ability of the enzyme to form oligomers and the elevated Thr:Ser ratio may be contributing factors to its thermal stability. Two hydrophobic residues that participate in interface formation and are not present in other CuZn-SODs may play a role in the formation of new interfaces and the oligomerization process. The CtSOD crystal structure reported here is the first Cu,Zn-SOD structure from a thermophilic fungus.

Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase and wild-type like fALS SOD1 mutants produce cytotoxic quantities of H2O2 via cysteine-dependent redox short-circuit

The Cu/Zn−superoxide dismutase (SOD1) is a ubiquitous enzyme that catalyzes the dismutation of superoxide radicals to oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. In addition to this principal reaction, the enzyme is known to catalyze, with various efficiencies, several redox side-reactions using alternative substrates, including biological thiols, all involving the catalytic copper in the enzyme’s active-site, which is relatively surface exposed. The accessibility and reactivity of the catalytic copper is known to increase upon SOD1 misfolding, structural alterations caused by a mutation or environmental stresses. These competing side-reactions can lead to the formation of particularly toxic ROS, which have been proposed to contribute to oxidative damage in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons. Here, we demonstrated that metal-saturated SOD1^WT (holo-SOD1^WT) and a familial ALS (fALS) catalytically active SOD1 mutant, SOD1^G93A, are capable, under defined metabolic circumstances, to generate cytotoxic quantities of H₂O₂ through cysteine (CSH)/glutathione (GSH) redox short-circuit. Such activity may drain GSH stores, therefore discharging cellular antioxidant potential. By analyzing the distribution of thiol compounds throughout the CNS, the location of potential hot-spots of ROS production can be deduced. These hot-spots may constitute the origin of oxidative damage to neurons in ALS.

The copper(II) binding centres of carbonic anhydrase are differently affected by reductants that ensure the redox intracellular environment

Copper is involved in several biological processes. The static and labile copper pools are controlled by means of a network of influx and efflux transporters, storage proteins, chaperones, transcription factors and small molecules as glutathione (GSH), which contributes to the cell reducing environment. To follow the fate of intracellular copper labile pool, a variant of human apocarbonic anhydrase has been proposed as fluorescent probe to monitor cytoplasmic Cu²⁺. Aware that in this cellular compartment copper ion is present as Cu⁺, electron spin resonance technique (ESR) was used to ascertain whether (bovine or human) carbonic anhydrase (CA) was able to accommodate Cu⁺ in the same sites occupied by Cu²⁺, in the presence of naturally occurring reducing agents such as ascorbate and GSH. Our ESR results on Cu²⁺ complexes with CA allow for a complete characterization of the two metal binding sites of the protein in solution. The use of the reported affinity constants of zinc in the catalytic site and of Cu²⁺ in the peripheral and catalytic site, allow us to obtain the speciation of copper species mimicking the spectroscopic study conditions. The different Cu²⁺ coordination features in the catalytic and the peripheral (the N-terminus cleft mouth) binding sites influence the chemical reduction effect of the two main naturally occurring reductants. Ascorbate reversibly reduces the Cu²⁺ complex with CA, while glutathione irreversibly induces the formation of Cu²⁺ complex with its oxidized form (GSSG). Our results questioned the use of CA as intracellular Cu²⁺ sensor. Furthermore, translating these findings to intracellular environment, the conversion of GSH in GSSG can significantly alter the metallostasis.

Computational Investigation on Electrostatic Loop Mutants Instigating Destabilization and Aggregation on Human SOD1 Protein Causing Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Mutations in the gene encoding Cu/Zn Superoxide Dismutase 1 (SOD1) protein are contemplated to be a protruding reason for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which leads towards protein aggregation, misfolding and destabilization. Thus, we investigated the systematic action of entire mutations reported on electrostatic loop of SOD1 protein through thermodynamical and discrete molecular dynamics (DMD) studies. Accordingly, we analyzed the outcomes distinctly for screening the mutant structures having both, deleterious and destabilizing effect. Progressively, the impacts of those mutations on SOD1 were studied using DMD program. Surprisingly, our results predicted that the mutants viz., L126S, N139H and G141A to be the most destabilizing, misfolded and disease-causing compared to other mutants. Besides, the outcomes from secondary structural propensities and free energy landscapes, together assertively suggested that L126S, N139H and G141A tend to increase the formation of aggregates in SOD1 relative to other mutants. Hence, this study could provide an insight into the sprouting neurodegenerative disorder distressing the humans.

Oxygen-dependent activation of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase-1

Copper zinc superoxide dismutase (Sod1) is a critical enzyme in limiting reactive oxygen species in both the cytosol and the mitochondrial intermembrane space.

S-Nitrosoglutathione Reductase Plays Opposite Roles in SH-SY5Y Models of Parkinson's Disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Oxidative and nitrosative stresses have been reported as detrimental phenomena concurring to the onset of several neurodegenerative diseases. Here we reported that the ectopic modulation of the denitrosylating enzyme S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR) differently impinges on the phenotype of two SH-SY5Y-based in vitro models of neurodegeneration, namely, Parkinson's disease (PD) and familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS). In particular, we provide evidence that GSNOR-knocking down protects SH-SY5Y against PD toxins, while, by contrast, its upregulation is required for G93A-SOD1 expressing cells resistance to NO-releasing drugs. Although completely opposite, both conditions are characterized by Nrf2 localization in the nuclear compartment: in the first case induced by GSNOR silencing, while in the second one underlying the antinitrosative response. Overall, our results demonstrate that GSNOR expression has different effect on neuronal viability in dependence on the stimulus applied and suggest that GSNOR could be a responsive gene downstream of Nrf2 activation.

Redox-implications associated with the formation of complexes between copper ions and reduced or oxidized glutathione

Binding of copper by reduced glutathione (GSH) is generally seen as a mechanism to lower, if not abolish, the otherwise high electrophilicity and redox activity of its free ions. In recent years, however, this concept has been contradicted by new evidence revealing that, rather than stabilizing free copper ions, its binding to GSH leads to the formation of a Cu(I)-[GSH]2 complex capable of reducing molecular oxygen into superoxide. It is now understood that, under conditions leading to the removal of such radicals, the Cu(I)-[GSH]2 complex is readily oxidized into Cu(II)-GSSG. Interestingly, in the presence of a GSH excess, the latter complex is able to regenerate the superoxide-generating capacity of the complex it originated from, opening the possibility that a GSH-dependent interplay exists between the reduced and the oxidized glutathione forms of these copper-complexes. Furthermore, recent evidence obtained from experiments conducted in non-cellular systems and intact mitochondria indicates that the Cu(II)-GSSG complex is also able to function in a catalytic manner as an efficient superoxide dismutating- and catalase-like molecule. Here we review and discuss the most relevant chemical and biological evidence on the formation of the Cu(I)-[GSH]2 and Cu(II)-GSSG complexes and on the potential redox implications associated with their intracellular occurrence.

Structural investigation on the electrostatic loop of native and mutated SOD1 and their interaction with therapeutic compounds

The electrostatic loop of the native and mutated SOD1 protein with single point mutation in the loop is subjected to MD simulation. The structure and electrostatic properties of the native and mutated loops before/after interacting with small compounds are compared.

Flexibility of the Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase structure investigated at 0.57 GPa

The 2 Å resolution crystal structure of bovine erythrocyte Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) has been determined by X-ray diffraction at high pressure (0.57 GPa) and room temperature. At 0.57 GPa the secondary, tertiary and quaternary structures are similar to other previously determined bovine erythrocyte CuZnSOD structures. Nevertheless, pressure has a localized impact on the atomic coordinates of Cαatoms and on side chains. The compression of the crystal and of the protein backbone is anisotropic. This anisotropy is discussed, taking into account intermolecular contacts and protein conformation. Pressure perturbation highlights the more flexible zones in the protein such as the electrostatic loop. At 0.57 GPa, a global shift of the dimetallic sites in both subunits and changes in the oxidation state of Cu were observed. The flexibility of the electrostatic loop may be useful for the interaction of different metal carriers in the copper-uptake process, whereas the flexibility of the metal sites involved in the activity of the protein could contribute to explaining the ubiquitous character of CuZnSODs, which are found in organisms living in very different conditions, including the deep-sea environment. This work illustrates the potential of combining X-ray crystallography with high pressure to promote and stabilize higher energy conformational substates.

Effects of Ce3+ on conformation and activity of superoxide dismutase

Ce3+ in various concentrations was added to superoxide dismutase (SOD) from rat eryhrocyte in vitro to gain insight into the mechanism of molecular interactions between Ce3+ and SOD. The results showed that the reaction between SOD and Ce3 was two order, which meant that the SOD activity was markedly accelerated by a low concentration of Ce3+ and inhibited by a high concentration of Ce3+. The spectroscopic assays suggested that the Ce3+ was determined to directly bind to SOD; the binding site of Ce3+ to SOD was 0.96, and the binding constants (K(A)) were 6.78 x 10(5) and 1.68 x 10(5)L.mol(-1); the binding Ce3+ entirely altered the secondary structure of SOD. It implied that the Ce(3+) coordination created a new metal ion-active site form in SOD, thus leading to an enhancement in SOD activity.

Structure of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase from the heavy-metal-tolerant yeast Cryptococcus liquefaciens strain N6

The deep-sea yeast Cryptococcus liquefaciens strain N6 shows high tolerance towards heavy metals, and can grow in the presence of high concentrations of copper ions. Enzymatic analysis indicated that copper ions induced the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase activity of strain N6 (Cl-SOD1). In this study, the 1.2A resolution crystal structure of Cl-SOD1 has revealed several significant residue substitutions compared to the other Cu/Zn SODs. In the electrostatic loop, notably, His135 and Pro136 replace the well-conserved linear residues, while Thr133 substitutes a highly conserved glycine. The electrostatic loop has been shown to be involved in the copper uptake process, and these substitutions have caused an inward dragging of the turn region of the loop. As the introduction of proline and abolishment of glycine decrease loop flexibility, this structural reorganization may have helped stabilize the loop conformation, possibly resulting in more efficient copper uptake and a more stabilized copper-bound form.

Molecular characterization and mRNA expression during metal exposure and thermal stress of copper/zinc- and manganese-superoxide dismutases in disk abalone, Haliotis discus discus

Complementary DNAs encoding copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD; SOD1) and manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD; SOD2) were isolated from disk abalone, Haliotis discus discus. The open reading frame sequences of Cu/Zn- and Mn-SODs encoded 154 and 226 amino acids, respectively. Multiple sequence alignments using the deduced amino acid sequences revealed that both abalone SODs showed considerable sequence similarities with their orthologues from diverse aerobic organisms, in which the amino acid residues forming metal ligands were highly conserved. All phylogenetic trees for both SOD genes inferred from maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses presented the monophyletic status of Teleostei and Aves/Tetrapoda clades, and recovered relatively close genetic affiliation of H. discus discus with some molluscan species. Expression of both SODs at mRNA levels were highly modulated in various tissues (gill, muscle and hepatopancreas from juveniles, and haemocytes from adults) by experimental exposures to heavy metals (copper, zinc and cadmium) and also by thermal treatments (elevation of temperature). The mRNA levels of both SODs were increased in general during the metal or thermal treatments; however, the transcriptional responses of SOD genes were quite variable depending upon isoforms and tissues based on semi-quantitative and/or real-time RT-PCR assays.

A Sensitized Europium Complex Generated by Micromolar Concentrations of Copper(I): Toward the Detection of Copper(I) in Biology

Formation of a luminescent device by the Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction between a Eu(III) complex and dansyl azide is reported. This reaction is catalyzed by a common biological copper(I) complex [GS--Cu(I)], and the resultant copper(I) catalytic sensor shows a 10-fold enhancement of europium luminescence emission.

Salting the charged surface: pH and salt dependence of protein G B1 stability

This study shows significant effects of protein surface charges on stability and these effects are not eliminated by salt screening. The stability for a variant of protein G B1 domain was studied in the pH-range of 1.5-11 at low, 0.15 M, and 2 M salt. The variant has three mutations, T2Q, N8D, and N37D, to guarantee an intact covalent chain at all pH values. The stability of the protein shows distinct pH dependence with the highest stability close to the isoelectric point. The stability is pH-dependent at all three NaCl concentrations, indicating that interactions involving charged residues are important at all three conditions. We find that 2 M salt stabilizes the protein at low pH (protein net charge is +6 and total number of charges is 6) but not at high pH (net charge is <or=-6 and total number of charges is >or=18). Furthermore, 0.15 M salt slightly decreases the stability of the protein over the pH range. The results show that a net charge of the protein is destabilizing and indicate that proteins contain charges for reasons other than improved stability. Salt seems to reduce the electrostatic contributions to stability under conditions with few total charges, but cannot eliminate electrostatic effects in highly charged systems.

Liposome-assisted activity of superoxide dismutase under oxidative stress

A biological membrane is the front line of defense for cells against various environmental stresses such as heat and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and is expected to play an important role in the antioxidant system with antioxidant enzymes, similarly to its chaperone-like function in cooperation with heat shock proteins. The oxidative stress response of superoxide dismutase (SOD), which is known to catalyze the dismutation of O(2)(-) to H(2)O(2), was investigated in the presence of artificial membranes, liposomes, in order to obtain fundamental information on the biological ROS scavenging system. SOD lost its activity in the presence of H(2)O(2) and was found to have two loops including one which contains an alpha-helix which presents the substrate O(2)(-) to the activity center of SOD (Cu(II)). From circular dichroism analysis of SOD in the presence of H(2)O(2), the contents of the alpha-helix in SOD were found to decrease in correspondence with the inactivation and conformational change of SOD, suggesting that the conformation of the alpha-helix loops affects SOD activity. In the presence of liposomes composed of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC), SOD was not inactivated in the presence of H(2)O(2) although the contents of its alpha-helix structure were decreased. The oxidized SOD was found to interact with the liposome surface under oxidative stress using dielectric dispersion analysis. Based on these results, a possible mechanism of SOD protection against ROS on liposomes was presented.

Molecular cloning and characterization of the copper/zinc and manganese superoxide dismutase genes from the human parasiteClonorchis sinensis

A copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/ZnSOD) gene and a manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) gene of the human parasiteClonorchis sinensishave been cloned and their gene products functionally characterized. GenesCu/ZnSODandMnSODencode proteins of 16 kDa and 25·4 kDa, respectively. The deduced amino acid sequences of the two genes contained highly conserved residues required for activity and secondary structure formation of Cu/ZnSOD and MnSOD, respectively, and show up to 73·7% and 75·4% identities with their counterparts in other animals. The genomic DNA sequence analysis of Cu/ZnSOD gene revealed this as an intronless gene. Inhibitor studies with purified recombinant Cu/ZnSOD and MnSOD, both of which were functionally expressed inEscherichia coli, confirmed that they are copper/zinc and manganese-containing SOD, respectively. Immunoblots showed that bothC. sinensisCu/ZnSOD and MnSOD should be antigenic for humans, and both, especially theC. sinensisMnSOD, exhibit extensive cross-reactions with sera of patients infected by other trematodes or cestodes. RT-PCR and SOD activity staining of parasite lysates indicate that there are no significant differences in mRNA level or SOD activity for both species of SOD, indicating cytosolic Cu/ZnSOD and MnSOD might play a comparatively important role in theC. sinensisantioxidant system.

Catalytic and structural role of a metal-free histidine residue in bovine Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase

Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) contains a conserved, metal-free His residue at an opening of the backbone beta-barrel in addition to six Cu- and/or Zn-bound His residues in the active site. We examined the protonation and hydrogen bonding state of the metal-free His residue (His41) in bovine SOD by UV Raman spectroscopy. Analysis of the His Raman intensity at 1406 cm(-1) in a D2O solution has shown that His41 has a pKa of 9.4, consistent with the NMR and X-ray structures at acidic to neutral pH, in which two imidazole nitrogen atoms of cationic His41 are hydrogen bonded to the main chain C=O groups of Thr37 and His118. Upon deprotonation of His41 at pH 9.4, the Thr37-His41-His118 hydrogen bond bridge breaks on the His118 side and SOD loses 70% of its activity. Concomitantly, hydrogen-deuterium exchange is accelerated for amide groups of beta-strands, indicating an increased conformational fluctuation of the beta-barrel. Thr37 and His41 are in direct contact with Leu36, whose hydrophobic side chain closes off the opening of the beta-barrel, while His118 is indirectly connected to Arg141 that assists the docking of superoxide to Cu. These Raman findings strongly suggest that the His41-mediated hydrogen bond bridge plays a crucial role in keeping the protein structure suitable for highly efficient catalytic reactions. The catalytic and structural role of His41 is consistent with the observation that the mutation of His43 in human SOD (equivalent to His41 in bovine SOD) to Arg largely reduces the dismutase activity and the protein structural stability.

Mechanisms for activating Cu- and Zn-containing superoxide dismutase in the absence of the CCS Cu chaperone

The Cu- and Zn-containing superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) largely obtains Cu in vivo by means of the action of the Cu chaperone CCS. Yet, in the case of mammalian SOD1, a secondary pathway of activation is apparent. Specifically, when human SOD1 is expressed in either yeast or mammalian cells that are null for CCS, the SOD1 enzyme retains a certain degree of activity. This CCS-independent activity is evident with both wild-type and mutant variants of SOD1 that have been associated with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We demonstrate here that the CCS-independent activation of mammalian SOD1 involves glutathione, particularly the reduced form, or GSH. A role for glutathione in CCS-independent activation was seen with human SOD1 molecules that were expressed in either yeast cells or immortalized fibroblasts. Compared with mammalian SOD1, the Saccharomyces cerevisiae enzyme cannot obtain Cu without CCS in vivo, and this total dependence on CCS involves the presence of dual prolines near the C terminus of the SOD1 polypeptide. Indeed, the insertion of such prolines into human SOD1 rendered this molecule refractory to CCS-independent activation. The possible implications of multiple pathways for SOD1 activation are discussed in the context of SOD1 evolutionary biology and familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

The role of oxidative stress on the effect of 1,4,7,10,13,16-hexathiacyclooctadecane on copper and zinc toxicity in HepG2 cells

Experiments have shown that 1,4,7,10,13,16-hexathiacyclooctadecane (L3) increased the Cu2+ toxicity on HepG2 cells, whereas the combination Zn(2+)/L3 was less toxic relative to the metal control. In all cases, glutathione (GSH) levels were decreased and vitamins C and E supplementation partially counteracted the increased toxicity in the Cu(2+)/L3-treated cells. The previously observed effects of this hexathiamacrocyclic ligand (L3) on the Cu2+ and Zn2+ toxicity were further investigated by first depleting the intracellular GSH levels by means of L-buthionine S,R-sulphoximine. Combined treatment with Cu(2+)/L3 resulted in complete cell death, whereas for Zn(2+)/L3 no severe effects were observed. Direct measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) revealed that Cu2+ induced a high degree of oxidative stress on the cells. This was not the case for Zn2+. The results proved a previously proposed mechanism in which GSH is used to conjugate the metal-ligand complex, but as a result of this, GSH is no longer available for inactivation of ROS. Also, both the intracellular copper and zinc content were determined for each experiment by means of inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy. According to these data, zinc is depleted in Cu(2+)/L3-treated cells, which could have consequences on superoxide dismutase and as a result of this on the amount of oxidative stress.

Molecular evolution and structure--function relationships of the superoxide dismutase gene families in angiosperms and their relationship to other eukaryotic and prokaryotic superoxide dismutases

This study assesses whether the phylogenetic relationships between SODs from different organisms could assist in elucidating the functional relationships among these enzymes from evolutionarily distinct species. Phylogenetic trees and intron positions were compared to determine the relationships among these enzymes. Alignment of Cu/ZnSOD amino acid sequences indicates high homology among plant sequences, with some features that distinguish chloroplastic from cytosolic Cu/ZnSODs. Among eukaryotes, the plant SODs group together. Alignment of the Mn and FeSOD amino acid sequences indicates a higher degree of homology within the group of MnSODs (>70%) than within FeSODs (approximately 60%). Tree topologies are similar and reflect the taxonomic classification of the corresponding species. Intron number and position in the Cu/Zn Sod genes are highly conserved in plants. Genes encoding cytosolic SODs have seven introns and genes encoding chloroplastic SODs have eight introns, except the chloroplastic maize Sod1, which has seven. In Mn Sod genes the number and position of introns are highly conserved among plant species, but not among nonplant species. The link between the phylogenetic relationships and SOD functions remains unclear. Our findings suggest that the 5' region of these genes played a pivotal role in the evolution of function of these enzymes. Nevertheless, the system of SODs is highly structured and it is critical to understand the physiological differences between the SODs in response to different stresses in order to compare their functions and evolutionary history.

Effects of Fe(III) binding to the nucleotide-independent site of F1-ATPase: enzyme thermostability and response to activating anions

Mitochondrial F1-ATPase was induced in different conformations by binding of specific ligands, such as nucleotides. Then, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and kinetic analyses were run to evaluate the structural and functional effects of Fe(III) binding to the nucleotide-independent site. Binding of one equivalent of Fe(III) induced a localised stabilising effect on the F1-ATPase structure destabilised by a high concentration of NaCl, through rearrangements of the ionic network essential for the maintenance of enzyme tertiary and/or quaternary structure. Concomitantly, a lower response of ATPase activity to activating anions was observed. Both FT-IR and kinetic data were in accordance with the hypothesis of the Fe(III) site location near one of the catalytic sites, i.e. at the alpha/beta subunit interface.