Generation of H2O2 in biomembranes

Ramasarma, T (1982) Generation of H2O2 in biomembranes. In: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA), 694 (1). pp. 69-93.

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Abstract

Knowledge of the generation of H202 in cellular oxidations has existed for many years. It has been assumed that H202 is tOxiC tO cells and the presence of catalase is indicative of a detoxication mechanism. Other radicals of oxygen were recently recognized to be more potent destructive agents of biological material than H202. Also catalase and other peroxidases utilize H202 in some cellular oxidation processes leading to several important metabolites. Thus, the generation of H202 in cellular processes seems to be purposeful and H202 can not be dismissed as a mere undesirable byproduct. Biological formation of H202 is not limited to the previously known flavoproteins and some copper enzymes, but other redox systems, particularly heme and non-heme iron proteins, are now found to undergo auto-oxidation yielding H202. The capacity for generation of H202 is now found to be widespread in a variety of organisms and in the organdies of the cells. The reduction of oxygen to H20 by mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase being the predominant oxygen-utilizing reaction had over-shadowed the importance of the quantitatively minor pathways. Under aerobic conditions generation of H202 by a Variety of biomembranes has now been found to be a physiological event interlinked with phenomena such as phagocytosis, transport processes and thermogenesis in some as yet unidentified way. The underlying mechanisms of these processes seem to involve generation and utilization of H202 in mitochondria, microsomes, peroxisomes or plasma membranes. This review gives an account of the potential of biomembranes to generate H202 and its implication in the cellular processes.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Additional Information:	Copyright of this article belongs to Elsevier Science.
Department/Centre:	Division of Biological Sciences > Biochemistry
Date Deposited:	22 Jul 2009 12:28
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2010 05:35
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/21069

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