Department of Biochemistry, University of London, King's College, Strand Campus, WC2R 2LS, London, UK.
Planta. 1988 Mar;173(3):405-10. doi: 10.1007/BF00401028.
Leghaemoglobin, a protein present in root nodules of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), generates the highly reactive hydroxyl radical (·OH) upon incubation with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The H2O2 appears to cause breakdown of the haem, releasing iron ions that convert H2O2 into ·OH outside the protein. Oxyleghaemoglobin (oxygenated ferrous protein) is more sensitive to attack by H2O2 than is metleghaemoglobin (ferric protein). The possibility of oxyleghaemoglobin breakdown by H2O2 and formation of damaging ·OH may explain why the root nodule is equipped with iron-storage proteins and enzymes that can remove H2O2.
根瘤血红蛋白存在于大豆（Glycine max (L.) Merr.）的根瘤中，在与过氧化氢（H2O2）孵育时会产生高反应性的羟基自由基（·OH）。过氧化氢似乎会导致血红素分解，释放出铁离子，使铁离子在蛋白质外将过氧化氢转化为·OH。氧合根瘤血红蛋白（氧合亚铁蛋白）比高铁根瘤血红蛋白（高铁蛋白）更容易受到过氧化氢的攻击。过氧化氢可能导致氧合根瘤血红蛋白分解并形成有害的·OH，这可能解释了为什么根瘤配备了可以去除过氧化氢的铁储存蛋白和酶。
