Reaction of ferric leghemoglobin with H2O2: formation of heme-protein cross-links and dimeric species

S Moreau, M J Davies, A Puppo

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Abstract

Ferric leghemoglobin in the presence of H2O2 is known to give rise to protein radicals, at least one of which is centred on a tyrosine residue. These radicals are quenched by at least two processes. The first one involves an intramolecular heme-protein cross-link probably involving the tyrosine radical; this leads to the formation of a green compound with spectral characteristics differing markedly from those of ferryl and ferric leghemoglobin. This green compound cannot be reduced by dithionite or ascorbate, precluding any role for this species as an oxygen carrier. It exhibits modified EPR and pyridine haemochromogen spectra, indicating that alterations occur at the porphyrin macrocycle level. The additional compound previously described [Puppo, A., Monny, C. and Davies, M.J. (1993) Biochem. J. 289, 435-438] appears to be a mixture of ferry Lb and this green compound. The second quenching route results in the formation of intermolecular cross-links and hence dimeric forms of the protein. Ascorbate and glutathione inhibit both this intermolecular dimer formation and the formation of the intramolecular haem-protein cross-links and are likely to play a protective role in vivo.

Original languageEnglish
JournalBiochimica et biophysica acta
Volume1251
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)17-22
Number of pages6
ISSN0304-4165
Publication statusPublished - 16 Aug 1995

Keywords

  • Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Ferric Compounds
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Leghemoglobin
  • Soybeans
  • Spectrophotometry

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