Metals inhibit riboflavin-catalyzed generation of superoxide anion in vitro.

We found that addition of cationic metals inhibited flavin-catalyzed superoxide anion (O2-.) production in vitro. Inhibition of O2-. generation by metals appeared to relate to the ability of metal ions to chelate or complex with amine groups, altering their electronegativity. Metal inhibition of O2-. production has important implications for biological systems involving O2-. radical production, as well as for assays requiring the generation of O2-. in vitro.