Modification of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase by oxidized catecholamines.

Oxidation of catecholamines may contribute to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). The effect of the oxidized products of catecholamines on the modification of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) was investigated. When Cu,Zn-SOD was incubated with the oxidized 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) or dopamine, the protein was induced to be aggregated. The deoxyribose assay showed that hydroxyl radicals were generated during the oxidation of catecholamines in the presence of copper ion. Radical scavengers, azide, N-acetylcysteine, and catalase inhibited the oxidized catecholamine-mediated Cu,Zn-SOD aggregation. Therefore, the results indicate that free radicals may play a role in the aggregation of Cu,Zn-SOD. When Cu,Zn-SOD that had been exposed to catecholamines was subsequently analyzed by an amino acid analysis, the glycine and histidine residues were particularly sensitive. These results suggest that the modification of Cu,Zn-SOD by oxidized catecholamines might induce the perturbation of cellular antioxidant systems and led to a deleterious cell condition.