Myoglobin-catalyzed tyrosine nitration: no need for peroxynitrite.

The nitration of tyrosine residues in protein to yield 3-nitrotyrosine derivatives has been suggested to represent a specific footprint for peroxynitrite formation in vivo. However, recent studies suggest that certain hemoproteins such as peroxidases catalyze the H(2)O(2)-dependent nitration of tyrosine to yield 3-nitrotyrosine in a peroxynitrite-independent reaction. Because 3-nitrotyrosine has been shown to be present in the postischemic myocardium, we wished to assess the ability of myoglobin to catalyze the nitration of tyrosine in vitro. We found that myoglobin catalyzed the oxidation of nitrite and promoted the nitration of tyrosine. Both nitrite oxidation and tyrosine nitration were H(2)O(2)-dependent and required the formation of ferryl (Fe(+4)) myoglobin. In addition, nitrite oxidation and tyrosine nitration were pH-dependent with a pH optimum of approximately 6.0. Taken together, these data suggest that the acidic pH and low oxygen tension produced during myocardial ischemia will facilitate myoglobin-catalyzed, peroxyntrite-independent formation of 3-nitrotyrosine.