Cytochrome oxidation process

P. Mitchell (Nobel Prize for Chemistry, 1978) explained these facts by his chemiosmotic theory. This theory is based on the ordering of successive oxidation processes into reaction sequences called loops. Each loop consists of two basic processes, one of which is oriented in the direction away from the matrix surface of the internal membrane into the intracristal space and connected with the transfer of electrons together with protons. The second process is oriented in the opposite direction and is connected with the transfer of electrons alone. Figure 6.27 depicts the first Mitchell loop, whose first step involves reduction of NAD+ (the oxidized form of nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide) by the carbonaceous substrate, SH2. In this process, two electrons and two protons are transferred from the matrix space. The protons are accumulated in the intracristal space, while electrons are transferred in the opposite direction by the reduction of the oxidized form of the Fe-S protein. This reduces a further component of the electron transport chain on the matrix side of the membrane and the process is repeated. The final process is the reduction of molecular oxygen with the reduced form of cytochrome oxidase. It would appear that this reaction sequence includes not only loops but also a proton pump, i.e. an enzymatic system that can employ the energy of the redox step in the electron transfer chain for translocation of protons from the matrix space into the intracristal space. 

Porphyrin complexes are particularly suitable cores to construct dendrimers and to investigate how the behavior of an electroactive species is modified when surrounded by dendritic branches. In particular, dendritic porphyrins can be regarded as models for electron-transfer proteins like cytochrome c [42, 43]. Electrochemical investigation on Zn-porphyrins bearing polyether-amide branches has shown that the first reduction and oxidation processes are affected by the electron-rich microenvironment created by the dendritic branches [42]. Furthermore, for the third generation compound all the observed processes become irreversible. 

During the course of oxidative processing in the liver and intestines, these molecules undergo epoxidation by enzymes called P450 cytochromes. 

Thus, superoxide itself is obviously too inert to be a direct initiator of lipid peroxidation. However, it may be converted into some reactive species in superoxide-dependent oxidative processes. It has been suggested that superoxide can initiate lipid peroxidation by reducing ferric into ferrous iron, which is able to catalyze the formation of free hydroxyl radicals via the Fenton reaction. The possibility of hydroxyl-initiated lipid peroxidation was considered in earlier studies. For example, Lai and Piette [8] identified hydroxyl radicals in NADPH-dependent microsomal lipid peroxidation by EPR spectroscopy using the spin-trapping agents DMPO and phenyl-tcrt-butylnitrone. They proposed that hydroxyl radicals are generated by the Fenton reaction between ferrous ions and hydrogen peroxide formed by the dismutation of superoxide. Later on, the formation of hydroxyl radicals was shown in the oxidation of NADPH catalyzed by microsomal NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase [9,10]. 

Although metal-catalyzed protein oxidation is undoubtedly a very effective oxidative process, the origin of free metal ions under in vivo conditions is still uncertain (see Chapter 21). However, protein oxidation can probably be initiated by metal-containing enzymes. Mukhopadhyay and Chatterjee [31] have shown that NADPH-stimulated oxidation of microsomal proteins was mediated by cytochrome P-450 and occurred in the absence of free metal ions. It is important that in contrast to metal ion-stimulated oxidation of proteins, ascorbate inhibited and not enhanced P-450-dependent protein oxidation reacting with the oxygenated P-450 complex. The following mechanism of P-450-dependent oxidation of the side chain protein amino acid residues has been proposed ... 

Although pathway 2 in the oxidation process (Scheme 2) may be considered analogous to mechanisms proposed for carbon hydroxylations catalyzed by cytochrome P-450, abstraction of an electron from the lone pair on nitrogen (pathway 1) would be a more likely first step in these types of reactions. It is reasonable to assume that the nature of substituents R, R2, and R3 would greatly influence the rate and path of reaction. The mechanistic possibilities in Scheme 2 are undoubtedly simplistic in their representation of the active oxygen species of cytochrome P-450 and are by no means comprehensive. However, these pathways do serve to illustrate.the role of radical substrate intermediates in cytochrome P-450-catalyzed reactions. More detailed analyses of mechanistic studies on these and other cytochrome P-450-mediated reactions can be found in recent reviews on the subject 49, 50, 60). 

Recent work in our laboratories has confirmed the existence of a similar pathway in the oxidation of vindoline in mammals (777). The availability of compounds such as 59 as analytical standards, along with published mass spectral and NMR spectral properties of this compound, served to facilitate identification of metabolites formed in mammalian liver microsome incubations. Two compounds are produced during incubations with mouse liver microsome preparations 17-deacetylvindoline, and the dihydrovindoline ether dimer 59. Both compounds were isolated and completely characterized by spectral comparison to authentic standards. This work emphasizes the prospective value of microbial and enzymatic transformation studies in predicting pathways of metabolism in mammalian systems. This work would also suggest the involvement of cytochrome P-450 enzyme system(s) in the oxidation process. Whether the first steps involve direct introduction of molecular oxygen at position 3 of vindoline or an initial abstraction of electrons, as in Scheme 15, remains unknown. The establishment of a metabolic pathway in mammals, identical to those found in Strep-tomycetes, with copper oxidases and peroxidases again confirms the prospective value of the microbial models of mammalian metabolism concept. 

When the drug concentrations are below the K, Clj is essentially independent of drug concentration. The processes of drug metaboHsm are similar to other en2ymat-ic processes. For instance most oxidative processes (cytochrome P450) obey Michaelis-Menten kinehcs ... 

Oxidation Carbons Adjacent to sp Atoms. Carbon atoms that are situated adjacent to imine, carbonyl, or aromatic groups are frequently oxidized. This reaction appears to be catalyzed by the cytochrome P-450 enzyme system. Typically, a hydroxyl group is attached to the carbon as part of the oxidation process. 

Note that the monooxygenase model reactions described above are performed in non-aqueous diluters. Therefore, hematin form is absent and only hemin is present, of which, apparently, formation of an intermediate shaped as Hm=0 is typical. Model catalysts of cytochrome P-450 operate in liquids, similar to enzymes themselves. Their activity depends on many factors, including diluter origin, reaction mixture pH and cell effects. As indicated [1], the gas-phase version of the oxidation process is much freer from these effects. 

The key enzymes of the system are the cytochrome P-450 enzymes, which have active sites that contain an iron atom that cycles between the +2 and +3 oxidation states. These enzymes bind to the substrate and molecular 02as part of the substrate oxidation process. Cytochrome P-450 is found most abundantly in the livers of vertebrates, reflecting the liver s role as the body s primary defender against systemic poisons. Cytochrome P-450 occurs in many other parts of the body, such as the kidney, ovaries, testes, and blood. The presence of this enzyme in the lungs, skin, and gastrointestinal tract may reflect their defensive roles against toxicants. 

Copper and Zinc in Aerobic Metabolism. Cytochrome oxidase, the terminal oxidase in the electron transport chain contains an atom of copper. On this enzyme the protons and electrons generated during oxidative metabolism combine with elemental oxygen to form water. During copper deficiency the tissue concentration of cytochrome oxidase is reduced. While the effects of lower cytochrome oxidase activity on exercise has not been described, it is likely that aerobic energy metabolism will be diminished. This effect of copper deficiency was first described in animals with myelin aplasls — the degeneration myelin (86). The oxidative process of phospholipid synthesis, a primary component of myelin, was depressed. Liver mitochondria had impaired respiratory activity (87). Cytochrome oxidase activity was also depressed in brain, heart and liver. 

A group of cytochromes (labeled a, b, and c, depending on their spectra) serve as oxidation-reduction agents, converting the energy of the oxidation process into the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which makes the energy more available to other reactions. Copper is also involved in these reactions. The copper cycles between Cu(II) and Cu(I) and the iron cycles between Fe(nl) and Fe(II) during the reactions. Details of the reactions are available in other sources. ... 

Fig, 15. A schematic diagram illustrating the different two-electron oxidation processes undergone by Fe(III) hemes in horseradish peroxidase [Fe(IV)(por )], yeast cytochrome c peroxidase [Fe(IV(por)(R )], and diheme cytochrome c peroxidase. The porphyrin ring is represented by the square. Histidine is the proximal ligand in all cases. R represents an amino acid side chain. 

N-oxidations, sulfoxidations, dealkylations, deaminations, dehalogenations, and others (Wislocki et al. 1980). These isozymes are responsible for the oxidation of different substrates or for different types of oxidation of the same substrate. Carbon monoxide binds with the reduced form of the cytochrome, forming a complex with an absorption spectrum peak at 450 nm. This is the origin of the name of the enzyme. As a result of the complex, inhibition of the oxidation process occurs. 

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