Reactions of superoxide dismutases with HS(-)/H2S and superoxide radical anion: An in vitro EPR study.

Interactions of hydrogen sulfide (HS(-)/H2S), a reducing signaling species, with superoxide dimutases (SOD) are poorly understood. We applied low-T EPR spectroscopy to examine the effects of HS(-)/H2S and superoxide radical anion O2.- on metallocenters of FeSOD, MnSOD, and CuZnSOD. HS(-)/H2S did not affect FeSOD, whereas active centers of MnSOD and CuZnSOD were open to this agent. Cu(2+) was reduced to Cu(1+), while manganese appears to be released from MnSOD active center. Untreated and O2.- treated FeSOD and MnSOD predominantly show 5 d-electron systems, i.e. Fe(3+) and Mn(2+). Our study provides new details on the mechanisms of (patho)physiological effects of HS(-)/H2S.