SECRETION AND INCREASE OF INTRACELLULAR CUZN SUPEROXIDE-DISMUTASE CONTENT IN HUMAN NEUROBLASTOMA SK-N-BE CELLS SUBJECTED TO OXIDATIVE STRESS

CuZn superoxide dismutase (SOD) secretion was detected in media of [S- 35]cysteine-labeled human neuroblastoma SK-N-BE cells precipitated wit h antihuman CuZn SOD antibodies. The ability of Fe2+/ascorbate oxidati ve stress to induce CuZn SOD in SK-N-BE cells was evaluated by Western blot analysis. The results showed that, like human hepatocarcinoma ce lls and human fibroblasts, SK-N-BE cells secrete CuZn SOD. In addition , the CuZn SOD concentration was higher in cells subjected to oxidativ e stress than in unstressed cells. The secretion of CuZn SOD and the a bility of Fe2+/ascorbate to increase its protein content in SK-N-BE ce lls indicates that this enzyme protects the brain from damage induced by oxidative stress. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.