Oxidation of the substituted catechols dihydroxyphenylalanine methyl ester and trihydroxyphenylalanine by lactoperoxidase and its compounds.

The reactions of native lactoperoxidase and its compound II with two substituted catechols have been investigated by ESR spin stabilization and spin trapping and by rapid scan and conventional spectrophotometric techniques. The catechols are Dopa methyl ester (dihydroxyphenylalanine methyl ester) and 6-hydroxy-Dopa (trihydroxyphenylalanine). o-Semiquinone radicals are formed in the anaerobic reaction of Dopa methyl ester with hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by native lactoperoxidase. The comparable anaerobic reaction of 6-hydroxy-Dopa appears to produce hydroxyl radicals in an unusual reaction. Compound II is reduced back to native lactoperoxidase by both catechols. The reaction between Dopa methyl ester and compound II undergoes an oscillation. The results on the overall lactoperoxidase cycle indicate two successive one-electron reductions of the peroxidase intermediates back to the native enzyme. The resulting free radical formation of o- and p-semiquinones and subsequent formation of stable quinones and Dopachromes is dependent upon the stereochemical arrangement of the catechol hydroxyl groups.