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Tissue distribution of monomeric glutathione peroxidase in broiler chicks.

It is known that there are two kinds of enzymes which show glutathione peroxidase activity, 'classical' glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase. Recently, a third enzyme was found, monomeric glutathione peroxidase, in broiler chick liver cytosolic fraction. To gain an insight into the possible physiological role of the monomeric glutathione peroxidase, the distribution of this enzyme in other broiler tissues was studied. The monomeric glutathione peroxidase was found in all tissues examined and in erythrocytes. The percentage of the total glutathione peroxidase activity accounted for by the monomeric enzyme ranged from 4 per cent in erythrocytes to 28 per cent in liver. Livers from three avian and two mammalian species contained the monomeric glutathione peroxidase. The contribution of the monomeric enzyme to total glutathione peroxidase activity with cumene hydroperoxide was high in poultry livers, while only trace monomeric glutathione peroxidase activity was found in mammalian livers. Chick monomeric glutathione peroxidase showed high activity toward phospholipid hydroperoxide. Thus, monomeric glutathione peroxidase might be an important enzyme in reducing membrane lipid hydroperoxides in birds.

Animals↗

Lignin peroxidases can also oxidize manganese.

The peroxidase isozymes secreted by the white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium include lignin peroxidases and manganese-dependent peroxidases. The major isozymes, called lignin peroxidases, are thought to oxidize chemicals directly. The manganese-dependent peroxidases (H3, H4, H5, and H9) are relatively minor, making up only a fraction of the total peroxidase protein. However, we have found that lignin peroxidases will also catalyze the H2O2-dependent oxidation of Mn2+ to Mn3+. We have used lignin peroxidase isozyme H2 (LiPH2) to characterize the manganese peroxidase activity of lignin peroxidases. Transient state kinetic studies were used to obtain a second-order rate constant of 4.2 x 10(4) M-1 S-1 for the reaction of LiPH2-compound I with free or chelated Mn2+ at pH 6.0. This reaction was too fast to monitor at pH 4.5. Only chelated Mn2+ could reduce LiPH2-compound II to ferric enzyme. The Mn(2+)-chelate (oxalate) first bound LiPH2-compound II with a Kd of (1.5 +/- 0.3) x 10(-5) M and then reduced LiPH2-compound II to ferric enzyme with a first order rate constant of 215 +/- 6 S-1. Steady-state kinetic studies on LiPH2 were performed by directly monitoring the formation of Mn(3+)-oxalate. These results show that oxidation of Mn2+ by a lignin peroxidase does not occur through free radical mediation as proposed previously [Popp et al. (1990) Biochemistry 29, 10475-10480). Electron spin resonance and oxygen evolution studies also indicate that Mn2+ is directly oxidized by LiPH2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Basidiomycota↗

Lignin and Mn peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of phenolic lignin oligomers.

The oxidation of phenolic oligomers by lignin and manganese peroxidases was studied by transient-state kinetic methods. The reactivity of peroxidase intermediates compound I and compound II was studied with the phenol guaiacol along with a beta-O-4 phenolic dimer, trimer, and tetramer. Compound I of both peroxidases is much more reactive than compound II. The rate constants for these substrates with Mn peroxidase compound I range from 1.0 x 10(5) M-1 s-1 for guaiacol to 1.1 x 10(3) M-1 s-1 for the tetramer. Reactivity is much higher with lignin peroxidase compound I with rate constants ranging from 1.2 x 10(6) M-1s-1 for guaiacol to 3.6 x 10(5) M-1 s-1 for the tetramer. Rate constants with compound II are much lower with Mn peroxidase exhibiting very little reactivity. The rate constants dramatically decreased with both peroxidases as the size of the substrate increased. The extent of the decrease was much more dramatic with Mn peroxidase, leading us to conclude that, despite its ability to oxidize phenols, Mn2+ is the only physiologically significant substrate. The rate decrease associated with increasing substrate size was more gradual with lignin peroxidase. These data indicate that whereas Mn peroxidase cannot efficiently directly oxidize the lignin polymer, lignin peroxidase is well suited for direct oxidation of polymeric lignin.

Catalysis↗

A deletion mutation at the ep locus causes low seed coat peroxidase activity in soybean.

The Ep locus severely affects the amount of peroxidase enzyme in soybean seed coats. Plants containing the dominant Ep allele accumulate large amounts of peroxidase in the hourglass cells of the sub-epidermis. Homozygous recessive epep genotypes do not accumulate peroxidase in the hourglass cells and are much reduced in total seed coat peroxidase activity. To isolate the gene encoding the seed coat peroxidase and to determine whether it corresponds to the Ep locus, a cDNA library was constructed from developing seed coats and an abundant 1.3 kb peroxidase transcript was cloned. The corresponding structural gene was also isolated from a genomic library. Sequence analysis shows that the seed coat peroxidase is translated as a 352 amino acid precursor protein of 38 kDa. Processing of a putative 26 amino acid signal sequence results in a mature protein of 326 residues with a calculated mass of 35 kDa and a pl of 4.4. Using probes derived from the cDNA, genomic DNA blot hybridization and polymerase chain reaction analysis detected polymorphisms that distinguished EpEp and epep genotypes. Co-segregation of the polymorphisms in an F2 population from a cross of EpEp and epep plants shows that the Ep locus encodes the seed coat peroxidase protein. Comparison of Ep and ep alleles indicates that the recessive gene lacks 87 bp of sequence encompassing the translation start codon. Analysis by RNA blot hybridization shows that epep plants have drastically reduced amounts of peroxidase transcript compared with EpEp plants. The peroxidase mRNA is abundant in seed coat tissues of EpEp plants during the late stages of seed maturation, and could also be detected in root tissues, but not in the flower, embryo, pod or leaf. The results indicate that the lack of peroxidase accumulation in seed coats of homozygous recessive epep plants is due to a mutation of the structural gene that reduces transcript abundance.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Hydroxyl-radical production in physiological reactions. A novel function of peroxidase.

Peroxidases catalyze the dehydrogenation by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) of various phenolic and endiolic substrates in a peroxidatic reaction cycle. In addition, these enzymes exhibit an oxidase activity mediating the reduction of O2 to superoxide (O2.-) and H2O2 by substrates such as NADH or dihydroxyfumarate. Here we show that horseradish peroxidase can also catalyze a third type of reaction that results in the production of hydroxyl radicals (.OH) from H2O2 in the presence of O2.-. We provide evidence that to mediate this reaction, the ferric form of horseradish peroxidase must be converted by O2.- into the perferryl form (Compound III), in which the haem iron can assume the ferrous state. It is concluded that the ferric/perferryl peroxidase couple constitutes an effective biochemical catalyst for the production of .OH from O2.- and H2O2 (iron-catalyzed Haber-Weiss reaction). This reaction can be measured either by the hydroxylation of benzoate or the degradation of deoxyribose. O2.- and H2O2 can be produced by the oxidase reaction of horseradish peroxidase in the presence of NADH. The .OH-producing activity of horseradish peroxidase can be inhibited by inactivators of haem iron or by various O2.- and .OH scavengers. On an equimolar Fe basis, horseradish peroxidase is 1-2 orders of magnitude more active than Fe-EDTA, an inorganic catalyst of the Haber-Weiss reaction. Particularly high .OH-producing activity was found in the alkaline horseradish peroxidase isoforms and in a ligninase-type fungal peroxidase, whereas lactoperoxidase and soybean peroxidase were less active, and myeloperoxidase was inactive. Operating in the .OH-producing mode, peroxidases may be responsible for numerous destructive and toxic effects of activated oxygen reported previously.

Enzyme Inhibitors↗

Physiologic concentrations of homocysteine inhibit the human plasma GSH peroxidase that reduces organic hydroperoxides.

The plasma reduced glutathione (GSH) selenoperoxidase is a highly conserved enzyme. Furthermore, a small clinical study reported that patients with severe atherosclerosis had low peroxidase activities. Together these observations suggest that the peroxidase is important in preventing atherosclerosis. Yet others have reported that when the assay was run in Tris buffer, it was inactive with the concentrations of GSH found in the plasma. Second, it is known that hyperhomocysteinemia increases the rate of atherogenesis. Because there is some homology between homocysteine and the cysteine in GSH, the question is whether the hyperhomocysteinemia effect may be due to inhibition of the peroxidase. We purified the peroxidase from human plasma and determined its activity by a coupled spectrophotometric assay and a substrate disappearance chemiluminescence assay. When the peroxidase activity was determined in phosphate-buffered saline solution (PBS), there was significant activity with the reported plasma GSH concentrations (5 to 20 micromol/L). The peroxidase was exclusively in the HDL fraction. There was no correlation between the peroxidase activity and the HDL or LDL cholesterol concentrations. Finally, at physiologic concentrations of GSH (9 micromol/L), the peroxidase was inhibited by physiologic, free homocysteine concentrations (1 to 5 micromol/L). These data suggest that the peroxidase is active in vivo and may be important in protecting the endothelium from atherosclerosis by preventing oxidant injury. The homocysteine inhibition of the peroxidase suggests a possible biochemical basis for the observed association between hyperhomocysteinemia and cardiovascular disease. Our studies imply that low concentrations of this peroxidase may be an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis.

Arteriosclerosis↗

Characterization of ionically bound peroxidases from apple (Mallus pumilus) fruits.

Ionically bound peroxidases (POD) were salt extracted from the pulp of four Indian apple varieties, i.e., Golden delicious HP, Golden delicious JK, Red delicious, and Royal delicious. They were precipitated with chilled ethanol. Thermal treatments of partially purified enzymes were given from 40-70 degrees C for 30 minutes. Golden delicious HP peroxidase showed thermostability at 60 degrees C, while three other peroxidases were observed at 50 degrees C. Phenolic compounds (i.e., caffeic acid, ferulic acids, p-coumaric acid, protocatechuic acid) and metal ions (i.e., Cu2+ and Fe2+) activated all apple peroxidases. However, Mn2+ inhibited the peroxidases from Golden delicious HP, Golden delicious JK, and Red delicious, and a substantial increase was observed in Royal delicious peroxidase. Mg2+ inhibited the peroxidases from Golden delicious HP and Red delicious, but marginal activation was reported in peroxidases from Golden delicious JK and Royal delicious. Zn2+ established stimulation in Golden delicious HP and Golden delicious JK peroxidases, but inhibition was observed in peroxidases in Red delicious and Royal delicious.. Methionine, proline, tryptophan, and valine stimulated all four apple peroxidases, but cysteine showed inhibition in Golden delicious JK.

Amino Acids↗

Zinnia elegans uses the same peroxidase isoenzyme complement for cell wall lignification in both single-cell tracheary elements and xylem vessels.

The nature of the peroxidase isoenzyme complement responsible for cell wall lignification in both Zinnia elegans seedlings and Z. elegans tracheary single-cell cultures have been studied. Results showed that both hypocotyls and stems from lignifying Z. elegans seedlings express a cell wall-located basic peroxidase of pI approximately 10.2, which was purified to homogeneity. Molecular mass determination under non-denaturing conditions showed an M(r) of about 43 000, similar to that of other plant peroxidases. The purified Z. elegans peroxidase showed absorption maxima at 403 (Soret band), and at 496-501 and 632-635 (alpha and beta absorption bands), indicating that this enzyme is a high spin ferric haem protein, belonging to the plant peroxidase superfamily, the prosthetic group being ferric protoporphyrin IX. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of this Z. elegans basic peroxidase was KVAVSPLS (peptide motif in bold), which shows strong homologies with the N-amino acid terminus of other strongly basic plant peroxidases. Isoenzyme and western blot analyses showed that this peroxidase isoenzyme is also expressed in trans-differentiating Z. elegans tracheary single-cell cultures. The results also showed that Z. elegans tracheary single-cell cultures not only express the same peroxidase isoenzyme as the Z. elegans lignifying xylem, but that this peroxidase isoenzyme acts as a marker of tracheary element differentiation in Z. elegans mesophyll single-cell cultures. From these results, it may be concluded that Z. elegans uses a single programme, i.e. an identical peroxidase isoenzyme complement, for lignification of the xylem, regardless of the existence of different ontogenesis pathways from either mesophyll cells (in the case of tracheary elements) or cambial derivatives (in the case of xylem vessels).

Asteraceae↗

Contribution of glutathione peroxidase to the virulence of Streptococcus pyogenes.

Glutathione peroxidases are widespread among eukaryotic organisms and function as a major defense against hydrogen peroxide and organic peroxides. However, glutathione peroxidases are not well studied among prokaryotic organisms and have not previously been shown to promote bacterial virulence. Recently, a gene with homology to glutathione peroxidase was shown to contribute to the antioxidant defenses of Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus). Since this bacterium causes numerous suppurative diseases that require it to thrive in highly inflamed tissue, it was of interest to determine if glutathione peroxidase is important for virulence. In this study, we report that GpoA glutathione peroxidase is the major glutathione peroxidase in S. pyogenes and is essential for S. pyogenes pathogenesis in several murine models that mimic different aspects of streptococcal suppurative disease. In contrast, glutathione peroxidase is not essential for virulence in a zebrafish model of streptococcal myositis, a disease characterized by the absence of an inflammatory cell infiltrate. Taken together, these data suggest that S. pyogenes requires glutathione peroxidase to adapt to oxidative stress that accompanies an inflammatory response, and the data provide the first demonstration of a role for glutathione peroxidase in bacterial virulence. The fact that genes encoding putative glutathione peroxidases are found in the genomes of many pathogenic bacterial species suggests that glutathione peroxidase may have a general role in bacterial pathogenesis.

Animals↗

Lignin peroxidase-negative mutant of the white-rot basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium.

Phanerochaete chrysosporium produces two classes of extracellular heme proteins, designated lignin peroxidases and manganese peroxidases, that play a key role in lignin degradation. In this study we isolated and characterized a lignin peroxidase-negative mutant (lip mutant) that showed 16% of the ligninolytic activity (14C-labeled synthetic lignin----14CO2) exhibited by the wild type. The lip mutant did not produce detectable levels of lignin peroxidase, whereas the wild type, under identical conditions, produced 96 U of lignin peroxidase per liter. Both the wild type and the mutant produced comparable levels of manganese peroxidase and glucose oxidase, a key H2O2-generating secondary metabolic enzyme in P. chrysosporium. Fast protein liquid chromatographic analysis of the concentrated extracellular fluid of the lip mutant confirmed that it produced only heme proteins with manganese peroxidase activity but no detectable lignin peroxidase activity, whereas both lignin peroxidase and manganese peroxidase activities were produced by the wild type. The lip mutant appears to be a regulatory mutant that is defective in the production of all the lignin peroxidases.

Basidiomycota↗

Epithelial peroxidase and endometrial granulocytes in the normal cyclic human endometrium.

Studies in animal models have clearly shown a relationship between the administration of estrogens and the appearance of peroxidase activity in growth-responsive estrogen target tissues (endometrium, cervix, vagina, breast, and DMBA rat mammary tumor). We have studied the ultrastructural localization of endogenous peroxidase activity in the normal cyclic human endometrium. Endogenous peroxidase activity was not identified in proliferative phase endometria, with the exception of one very late proliferative phase endometrium. Most secretory phase endometria showed at least some ultrastructurally identified peroxidase activity in glandular epithelial cells. The number of epithelial cells showing peroxidase activity varied from less than 10% to 85%. The peroxidase activity was present throughout the endoplasmic reticulum of these epithelial cells, extending from the perinuclear cistern to the most peripheral portions of the endoplasmic reticulum adjacent to the apical lumen. Biochemical assays of peroxidase activity in these endometria were compared with the ultrastructurally identified epithelial peroxidase and the endometrial granulocyte count. Uterine granulocyte peroxidase appeared to make a substantial contribution to the total peroxidase activity assayed by biochemical methods. Standard biochemical techniques alone, therefore were not considered to be adequate to evaluate epithelial peroxidase activity.

Adult↗

Comparison of peroxidases in the retina, choroid and red blood cells.

Most of the peroxidase activity in the bovine retina is specific to glutathione (GSH) while the choroid contains both GSH peroxidases and ascorbate peroxidase. The GSH peroxidase was clearly separated from ascorbate peroxidase on a cation exchange column. The nonspecific peroxidase activity of hemoproteins accounts for the peroxidase activity detected by ascorbate oxidation. All choroidal hemoproteins contain subunits very similar to those of hemoglobin. The absence of ascorbate peroxidase in the retina indicates that the protective effect of ascorbate against photic injury is not due to its reaction with retinal peroxidase. Therefore removal of H2O2 by ascorbate peroxidase activity in the choroid could be a significant factor in studies where serum ascorbate concentrations are artificially raised far above the normal level concurrent to a very small rise in retinal ascorbate concentration.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Apoplastic Peroxidases and Lignification in Needles of Norway Spruce (Picea abies L.).

The objective of the present study was to investigate the correlation of soluble apoplastic peroxidase activity with lignification in needles of field-grown Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) trees. Apoplastic peroxidases (EC 1.11.1.7) were obtained by vacuum infiltration of needles. The lignin content of isolated cell walls was determined by the acetyl bromide method. Accumulation of lignin and seasonal variations of apoplastic peroxidase activities were studied in the first year of needle development. The major phase of lignification started after bud break and was terminated about 4 weeks later. This phase correlated with a transient increase in apoplastic guaiacol and coniferyl alcohol peroxidase activity. NADH oxidase activity, which is thought to sustain peroxidase activity by production of H2O2, peaked sharply after bud break and decreased during the lignification period. Histochemical localization of peroxidase with guaiacol indicated that high activities were present in lignifying cell walls. In mature needles, lignin was localized in walls of most needle tissues including mesophyll cells, and corresponded to 80 to 130 [mu]mol lignin monomers/g needle dry weight. Isoelectric focusing of apoplastic washing fluids and activity staining with guaiacol showed the presence of strongly alkaline peroxidases (isoelectric point [greater than or equal to] 9) in all developmental stages investigated. New isozymes with isoelectric points of 7.1 and 8.1 appeared during the major phase of lignification. These isozymes disappeared after lignification was terminated. A strong increase in peroxidase activity in autumn was associated with the appearance of acidic peroxidases (isoelectric point [less than or equal to] 3). These results suggest that soluble alkaline apoplastic peroxidases participate in lignin formation. Soluble acidic apoplastic peroxidases were apparently unrelated to developmentally regulated lignification in spruce needles.

Journal Article↗

Homology of Plant Peroxidases: AN IMMUNOCHEMICAL APPROACH.

Antisera specific for the basic peroxidase from horseradish (Amoracea rusticana) were used to examine homology among horseradish peroxidase isoenzymes and among basic peroxidases from root plants. The antisera cross-reacted with all tested isoperoxidases when measured by both agar diffusion and quantitative precipitin reactions. Precipitin analyses provided quantitative measurements of homology among these plant peroxidases. The basic radish (Raphanus sativus L. cv. Cherry Belle) peroxidase had a high degree of homology (73 to 81%) with the basic peroxidase from horseradish. Turnip (Brassica rapa L. cv. Purple White Top Globe) and carrot (Daucus carota L. cv. Danvers) basic peroxidases showed less cross-reaction (49 to 54% and 41 to 46%, respectively). However, the cross-reactions of antisera with basic peroxidases from different plants were greater than were those observed with acidic horseradish isoenzymes (30 to 35%). These experiments suggest that basic peroxidase isoenzymes are strongly conserved during evolution and may indicate that the basic peroxidases catalyze reactions involved in specialized cellular functions. Anticatalytic assays were poor indicators of homology. Even though homology among isoperoxidases was detected by other immunological methods, antibodies inhibited only the catalytic activity of the basic peroxidase from radish.

Journal Article↗

Neuronal transport of acid hydrolases and peroxidase within the lysosomal system or organelles: involvement of agranular reticulum-like cisterns.

Neurosecretory neurons of the hyperosmotically stressed hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system have been a useful model with which to demonstrate interrelationships among perikaryal lysosomes, agranular reticulum-like cisterns, endocytotic vacuoles, and the axoplasmic transport of acid hydrolases and horseradish peroxidase. Supraoptic neurons from normal mice and mice given 2% salt water to drink for 5--8 days have been studied using enzyme cytochemical techniques for peroxidase and lysosomal acid hydrolases. Peroxidase-labeling of these neurons was accomplished by intravenous injection or cerebral ventriculocisternal perfusion of the protein as previously reported (Broadwell and Brightman, '79). Compared to normal controls, supraoptic cell bodies from hyperosmotically stimulated mice contained elevated concentrations of peroxidase-labeled dense bodies demonstrated to be secondary lysosomes and acid hydrolase-positive and peroxidase-positive cisterns either attached or unattached to secondary lysosomes. These cisterns were smooth-surfaced and 400--1,000 A wide. Their morphology was similar to that of the agranular reticulum. Some of the cisterns contained both peroxidase and acid hydrolase activities. The cisterns probably represent an elongated form of lysosome and, therefore, are not elements of the agranular reticulum per se. By virtue of their direct connections with perikaryal secondary lysosomes, these cisterns may provide the route by which acid hydrolases and exogenous macromolecules can leave perikaryal secondary lysosomes for anterograde flow down the axon. Very few smooth-surfaced cisterns were involved in the retrograde transport of peroxidase within pituitary stalk axons from normal and salt-treated mice injected intravenously with peroxidase. Peroxidase undergoing retrograde transport was predominantly in endocytotic structures such as vacuoles and cup-shaped organelles, which deliver this exogenous macromolecule directly to secondary lysosomes for degradation in the cell body. These observations extend our previously reported findings in the axon to the cell body and suggest that agranular reticulum-like cisterns in the perikaryon, like those in the axon, may be part of the lysosomal system rather than associated with the agranular reticulum. A diagram summarizing the lysosomal system of organelles and proposed transport of acid hydrolases and peroxidase in neurosecretory neurons specifically and in neurons in general is provided.

Animals↗

Peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of azo dyes: mechanism of disperse Yellow 3 degradation.

Disperse Yellow 3 [2-(4'-acetamidophenylazo)-4-methylphenol] (DY3) (I) is an important yellow dye used in industry and is also a carcinogen. Earlier we demonstrated that lignin-degrading cultures of white-rot basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium degrade DY3 to CO2. In this report, we have examined the degradation of DY3 and its naphthol analog, 1-(4'-acetamidophenylazo)-2-naphthol (NDY3) (II) by lignin peroxidase, horseradish peroxidase, and Mn(III)-malonate complex (a manganese peroxidase mimic). Lignin and manganese peroxidases are two extracellular peroxidase produced by ligninolytic cultures of P. chrysosporium and are involved in the degradation of lignin and various other environmental pollutants by this fungus. DY3 oxidation by peroxidases yields 4-methyl-1,2-benzoquinone (III), acetanilide (IV), and a dimer of DY3 (V) as products. NDY3 oxidation yields acetanilide (IV) and 1,2-naphthoquinone (VI). In deuterium incorporation experiments with DY3, 55-67% incorporation of deuterium from dioxane-d8 into acetanilide (IV) is observed. However, when D2O is the donor, deuterium is not incorporated into acetanilide (IV). Based on these results, a mechanism for azo dye degradation is proposed. The H2O2-oxidized forms of a peroxidase oxidize the phenolic ring of DY3, or its analogs, by two electrons to produce a carbonium ion, which is located on the carbon bearing the azo linkage. Water attacks the carbonium ion, producing an unstable intermediate which breaks down to generate 1,2-naphthoquinone (VI) or 4-methyl-1,2-benzoquinone (III) and 4-acetamido-phenyldiazene. O2, H2O2-oxidized peroxidase, or a metal ion, oxidize the phenyldiazene by one electron to produce a phenyldiazene radical, which cleaves homolytically to generate 4-acetamidophenyl radical and molecular nitrogen. The 4-acetamidophenyl radical then abstracts a hydrogen radical from the surroundings to produce acetanilide (IV). DY3 degradation by whole cultures of P. chrysosporium yields acetanilide as the major product. This suggests that lignin peroxidase and manganese peroxidase are involved in the in vivo metabolism of DY3 by P. chrysosporium.

Acetanilides↗

Molecular characterization of Euglena ascorbate peroxidase using monoclonal antibody.

Ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.11) has been purified to electrophoretic homogeneity from Euglena gracilis Z. The enzyme showed a molecular mass of 58 kDa on SDS-PAGE and gel filtration, indicating that Euglena ascorbate peroxidase exists as a monomeric form. The substrate specificity for an electron donor and the stability of the purified enzyme were similar to those of cytosolic isozymes from higher plants. One of the characteristic properties was that Euglena ascorbate peroxidase reduces organic hydroperoxides as well as hydrogen peroxide. The N-terminal amino-acid sequence showed no significant similarity to any other ascorbate peroxidase from higher plants. However, the sequence of the peptides from the purified enzyme exhibited a high degree of homology to sequences of cytosolic and chloroplastic ascorbate peroxidases. Monoclonal antibodies against the purified Euglena ascorbate peroxidase were prepared. Two monoclonal antibodies (EAP1 and EAP2) showed high homology to cytosolic ascorbate peroxidases of higher plants, as judged by Western blot analysis. The EAP1 was also specific for chloroplastic ascorbate peroxidase from spinach. These findings indicate that Euglena ascorbate peroxidase exists in highly homologous regions with the ascorbate peroxidases of higher plants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Initial observations on the role of glutathione peroxidases in Euglena.

The algae Euglena gracilis possesses two glutathione (GSH) peroxidase: a GSH peroxidase that reduces organic hydroperoxides as well as hydrogen peroxide (GSH peroxidase 1); and a GSH peroxidase associated with GSH transferase that is active only with organic hydroperoxide substrates (GSH peroxidase 2). Preliminary experiments with Euglena were conducted to explore the in vivo role of the GSH peroxidases. The enzymes were not induced in response to the stimulation of cellular processes that generate oxidant species, such as beta-oxidation or photosynthesis. The levels of GSH peroxidase 1 were approximately twofold higher in autotrophic cultures containing the herbicide DCMU. GSH peroxidase 1 was most active in stationary phase cells; while the levels of GSH peroxidase 2 were fairly constant throughout growth. Under conditions where lipid peroxidation was induced in Euglena, the addition of either GSH peroxidase plus GSH reduced the lipid peroxide levels more than tenfold.

Benzene Derivatives↗