Ceruloplasmin, extracellular-superoxide dismutase, and scavenging of superoxide anion radicals.

Ceruloplasmin and extracellular-superoxide dismutase are similar in physical properties. Both are found in extracellular fluids and both are scavengers of the superoxide radical. The relationship between the two proteins was further explored in the present investigation. Ceruloplasmin preparations were found to be commonly contaminated with extracellular-superoxide dismutase. In one preparation, 80% of the superoxide dismutase activity was due to extracellular-superoxide dismutase. Ceruloplasmin, freed from contaminating superoxide dismutase, was found to catalytically dismute the superoxide anion radical with a rate constant of about 1.0 X 10(4) M-1 s-1 per copper atom. Under physiological conditions with a low rate of superoxide production, ceruloplasmin preferentially reacts stoichiometrically with the superoxide radical with a rate constant of about 2 X 10(5) M-1 s-1 per copper atom. Under such conditions, the reaction does not result in hydrogen peroxide formation. From the kinetic data obtained it was calculated that in normal human plasma, extracellular-superoxide dismutase will scavenge about twice as much superoxide as ceruloplasmin. Using immobilized antibodies toward extracellular superoxide dismutase and ceruloplasmin, no antigenic cross-reactivity between the two proteins could be detected.