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A new route to peroxynitrite: a role for xanthine oxidoreductase
Author(s) -
Godber Ben L.J,
Doel Justin J,
Durgan Joanne,
Eisenthal Robert,
Harrison Roger
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(00)01639-2
Subject(s) - peroxynitrite , chemistry , xanthine dehydrogenase , xanthine oxidase , pterin , biochemistry , xanthine , superoxide , nitric oxide , oxidoreductase , enzyme , peroxynitrous acid , nitrite , cofactor , organic chemistry , nitrate
Peroxynitrite, a potent oxidising, nitrating and hydroxylating agent, results from the reaction of nitric oxide with superoxide. We show that peroxynitrite can be produced by the action of a single enzyme, xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR), in the presence of inorganic nitrite, molecular oxygen and a reducing agent, such as pterin. The effects of oxygen concentration on peroxynitrite production have been examined. The physiologically predominant dehydrogenase form of the enzyme is more effective than the oxidase form under aerobic conditions. It is proposed that XOR‐derived peroxynitrite fulfils a bactericidal role in milk and in the digestive tract.