Cooxidation of the clinical reagent 3,5,3'5'-tetramethylbenzidine by prostaglandin synthase.

Prostaglandin synthase catalyzes the oxidation of arachidonic acid to prostaglandin H2 via a hydroperoxide intermediate, prostaglandin G2. The prostaglandin synthase system cooxidizes 3,5,3'5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), a derivative of the human carcinogen benzidine, to colored products. This process is arachidonic acid dependent and indomethacin sensitive. The reaction is also supported by hydroperoxides, and, in this case, indomethacin has no effect. This suggests that the cooxidation is mediated by the hydroperoxidase activity of prostaglandin synthase. The products of TMB oxidation by this system are the same as those obtained with lactoperoxidase and H2O2 or with horseradish peroxidase and H202. The initial products of TMB oxidation are the TMB radical cation and a charge-transfer complex composed of TMB and its two-electron (diimine) oxidation product. The TMB radical cation was identified by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. Ascorbic acid reduces the products, regenerating the parent compound.