[Effect of calcium cations on acid-base properties and free radical oxidation of dopamine and pyrocatechol].

Ca2+-induced increase in the rate of pyrocatechol and dopamine oxidation by dioxygen and Ca2+-dependent acid-base properties of the catechols were studied by potentiometric titration, UV/Vis-spectrophotometry, EPR-spectroscopy, and by measurement of oxygen consumption. The effect of Ca2+ on the chain reactions of oxidation can be explained by additional deprotonation (decrease in pKai) of the catechols that accelerates one electron transport to dioxygen and formation of calcium semiquinonate, undergoing further oxidation. The described Ca2+-dependent redox-conversion of ortho-phenols proposes that an additional function of calcium in the cell can be its involvement in free radical oxidoreductive reactions at pH > pKai.