Reaction Mechanism of Enzyme Studied by Pulse Radiolysis

Abstract

By virtue of its ability to generate hydrated electrons (e_aq ⁻) and various radicals as reductants, the pulse radiolysis technique has been employed for investigating the mechanism of action of peroxidase, cytochrome P-450, and cytochrome oxidase. The oxy forms of hemoproteins, such as myoglobin, peroxidase, and cytochrome P-450, were reduced by hydrated electrons to form the higher oxidation states of these hemoproteins. From these results, the reactive oxygen intermediate of cytochrome chrome P-450 is discussed. The reduction of cytochrome oxidase by the 1-methylnicotinamide radical was investigated. A decrease of the 830-nm band was detected due to the reduction of “visible” copper. After the first phase of the reduction of copper, the return of the 830-nm band corresponding to oxidation of copper was observed. Concomitantly, the absorption at 605 and 445 nm due to the reduction of heme α increased. This suggests that 1-methylnicotinamide radical reacts with the “visible” copper and subsequently flows to heme α by intramolecular migration.