Cytochrome oxidase antioxidant role

Ceruloplasmin (Cp), secreted into the blood stream, appears to be ubiquitous in vertebrates. There is extensive in vitro evidence that Cp efficiently catalyzes the oxidation of Fe to Fe under near physiological conditions. The role of Cp in iron metabolism is widely accepted and there is strong evidence for a secondary role in copper transport/regulation. Defects in hepatic biosynthesis of Cp may result in diseases such as Wilson s disease. There is conclusive evidence that Cp is the source for the copper found in cytochrome c oxidase and CuZn-SOD in cells. Cp inhibition of Fenton chemistry-induced oxidative damage of deoxyribose, lipids, and DNA points to an antioxidant role, which would explain the increase in Cp concentration in response to acute infection or inflammation. 

---