Dopamine oxygen-containing group

Copper is part of several essential enzymes including tyrosinase (melanin production), dopamine beta-hydroxylase (catecholamine production), copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (free radical detoxification), and cytochrome oxidase and ceruloplasmin (iron conversion) (Aaseth and Norseth 1986). All terrestrial animals contain copper as a constituent of cytochrome c oxidase, monophenol oxidase, plasma monoamine oxidase, and copper protein complexes (Schroeder et al. 1966). Excess copper causes a variety of toxic effects, including altered permeability of cellular membranes. The primary target for free cupric ions in the cellular membranes are thiol groups that reduce cupric (Cu+2) to cuprous (Cu+1) upon simultaneous oxidation to disulfides in the membrane. Cuprous ions are reoxidized to Cu+2 in the presence of molecular oxygen molecular oxygen is thereby converted to the toxic superoxide radical O2, which induces lipoperoxidation (Aaseth and Norseth 1986). 

In addition to its antioxidant role, ascorbic acid functions to keep various metallic ions in catalytic centers in their reduced forms. For example, some oxygenases require iron or copper in their Fe + or Cu+ states of oxidation. If these protein-bound ions are accidentally left in a more oxidized state they may need to be reduced by ascorbate ions. While this is a protectant role, there are some enzymes for which ascorbate has become a cosubstrate. An example is dopamine -hydroxylase, which converts dopamine to the neurotransmitter noradrenaline. The enzyme contains copper which cycles between Cu+ and Cu +, as it incorporates one atom of oxygen from O2 into its substrate. Ascorbate supplies the electrons for reduction of the second atom of the O2 to H2O. A recent report describes another distinct function for ascorbate ion. It apparently acts as a basic catalytic group for proton abstraction from a water molecule during the action of a glycosyltransferase enzyme, becoming part of the active site of that enzyme. 

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