A. Scozzafava et Ms. Viezzoli, THE ROLE OF THE ACTIVE-SITE AMINO-ACID-RESIDUES ON THE CATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF CU2ZN2SOD, Molecular and chemical neuropathology, 19(1-2), 1993, pp. 193-204
Copper, zinc superoxide dismutase, the enzyme that catalyzes the dismu
tation of the superoxide ion, is a key enzyme for neurodegenerative pr
ocesses caused by the formation into tissues of this reactive free rad
ical. Although the structure of enzyme is known, the catalytic mechani
sm has not yet fully elucidated. The copper ion represents the center,
which exchanges electrons with the superoxide ion, but other residues
present in the active site seem to play a relevant role. The most rec
ent advancements in clarifying the structure-function relationship in
this enzyme are discussed.