Cofactor cyanide binding

Cyanide can inhibit enzymatic activity by binding to the metallic cofactor in metalloenzymes. 

Treatment of cyanide poisoning includes rapid administration of activated charcoal (although charcoal binds cyanide poorly, it can reduce absorption) and general supportive care. The conventional antidote kit available in the USA includes two forms of nitrite (amyl nitrite and sodium nitrite) and sodium thiosulfate. The nitrites induce methemoglobinemia, which binds to free CI T creating the less toxic cyanomethemoglobin thiosulfate is a cofactor in the enzymatic conversion of CN to the much less toxic thiocyanate (SCINT). Recently, the FDA approved a concentrated form of hydroxocobalamin, which is now available as the Cyanokit (EMD Pharmaceuticals, Durham, North Carolina). Hydroxocobalamin (one form of vitamin B12) combines rapidly with CN to form cyanocobalamin (another form of vitamin B12). 

The organization of xanthine oxidase appears to be quite complex. There is evidence that various substrates are not bound at the same site, and that the primary reaction of different substrates may occur with various ones of the cofactors. The oxidation of purines and aldehydes is inhibited by pteridyl aldehyde and by cyanide, but these reagents do not affect the oxidation of DPNH. It is possible that these inhibitors influence substrate binding sites and primary electron transport, respectively, and that the oxidation of DPNH involves a different binding site and avoids the cyanide-sensitive electron transport mechanism, which may well involve iron. Xanthine oxidase, and probably all flavoproteins, require —SH groups, but a definite function for these groups cannot be ascribed at this time. Similarly, various factors influence the reactions with oxidants differentially. Cyanide inhibits cytochrome reduction, but not the reactions with 0 or dyes. Reduction of either cytochrome c or nitrate depends upon the presence of molybdenum. These observations... 

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