SOD catalyzes the disproportionation of superoxide via a two-step redox cycle:
For Cu/Zn-SOD1, copper alternates between Cu²⁺ (oxidized) and Cu⁺ (reduced) states . SOD enzymes exhibit near-perfect catalytic efficiency (), operating at diffusion-limited rates .
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): Over 170 SOD1 mutations (e.g., A4V, G93A) cause familial ALS via toxic gain-of-function mechanisms, not loss of enzymatic activity . Transgenic mice expressing mutant SOD1 develop motor neuron degeneration resembling ALS .
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases: Reduced SOD activity correlates with oxidative damage in neurodegenerative pathways .
COVID-19 Severity: SOD activity decreases significantly in Omicron-variant infections, with severe cases showing the lowest levels (ROC AUC = 0.89 for mortality prediction) .
Cancer: SOD2 knockout mice develop hepatocellular carcinoma, while SOD1 deficiency accelerates tumorigenesis in aging models .
SOD Mimetics: MnTnBuOE-2-PyP⁵⁺ enhances TRAIL-induced apoptosis in glioblastoma .
Gene Therapy: Adenoviral SOD2 delivery reduces ischemia-reperfusion injury in cardiac tissue .
Age- and sex-specific reference ranges for serum SOD activity in Iranian adults (35–65 years):
Parameter | Males (U/mL) | Females (U/mL) |
---|---|---|
SOD Activity | 4.79–5.12 | 4.99–5.31 |
Copper (µg/dL) | 85.7–140.3 | 92.8–157.8 |
Zinc (µg/dL) | 70.5–121.2 | 72.6–126.4 |
These values aid in assessing oxidative stress in conditions like diabetes and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis .
While SOD supplementation shows promise in cystic fibrosis and radiation-induced fibrosis , limitations include short plasma half-life and immunogenicity. Conjugation with polyethylene glycol (PEG) or encapsulation in liposomes improves bioavailability . Current studies focus on SOD mimetics targeting mitochondrial ROS in neurodegenerative diseases .
Recombinant Human Cu/Zn Superoxide Dismutase, expressed in E. coli, is a non-glycosylated homodimeric protein. Each of the two identical polypeptide chains consists of 153 amino acids, resulting in a total molecular weight of 31.6kDa.
The purity of the product is greater than 95.0%, as determined by two methods: (a) Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) analysis and (b) Sodium dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis.
The biological activity of the product, measured using the Pyrogallic Acid method, is greater than 3,000 Units/mg.
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There are three main types of SOD in mammals:
These enzymes play a pivotal role in maintaining cellular homeostasis by preventing oxidative damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids .
Recombinant human superoxide dismutase (rhSOD) is produced using genetic engineering techniques. It is typically expressed in microbial systems such as Escherichia coli or Bacillus subtilis. The recombinant enzyme retains the same functional properties as the naturally occurring enzyme, making it a valuable tool for research and therapeutic applications .
The production of rhSOD involves cloning the human SOD gene into a suitable expression vector, which is then introduced into a host organism. The host cells are cultured under optimized conditions to maximize the expression of rhSOD. The enzyme is subsequently purified using chromatographic techniques to ensure high purity and activity .
Despite its potential, the application of rhSOD faces several challenges, including issues related to membrane permeability and the stability of the enzyme in vivo. Ongoing research aims to address these challenges by developing more effective delivery systems and enhancing the stability of rhSOD .
In conclusion, recombinant human superoxide dismutase is a powerful antioxidant enzyme with diverse applications in medicine, cosmetics, and the food industry. Continued research and development are expected to further expand its utility and effectiveness in combating oxidative stress-related conditions.