Plasmodium falciparum: inhibitor sensitivity of the endogenous superoxide dismutase.

Plasmodium falciparum, unlike P. berghei, contains two superoxide dismutases (SOD). We have previously found that the major isozyme is cyanide sensitive and appears, like the P. berghei SOD, to be adopted from its host, whereas the minor isozyme was found to be cyanide insensitive. We now report that the minor parasite-associated enzyme is peroxide insensitive, suggesting that it is manganese containing.