CHARACTERIZATION OF CU,ZN SUPEROXIDE-DISMUTASE FROM THE BATHOPHILE FISH, LAMPANYCTUS-CROCODILUS

Cu,Zn SOD from the bathophile teleost Lampanyctus crocodilus (LSOD) sh ows a high degree of homology with the sequence oi the enzymes from ot her teleostean fish species. The catalytic properties of LSOD are very similar to those of the bovine enzyme, albeit with higher sensitivity to thermal denaturation. The apparent molecular mass of LSOD (37.6 KD a) is higher than the other Cu,Zn SOD variants studied. The aminoacid sequence of LSOD reveals interesting substitutions compared to the bov ine enzyme. These are discussed in View of the particular environmenta l conditions to which L. crocodilus is adapted. (C) 1997 Elsevier Scie nce Inc.