Superoxide dismutase fromAscaris suum

Abstract

SummaryThree superoxide dismutases (SOD) (EC 1.15.1.1) were detected in homogenates ofAscaris suum. Each of the three forms of SOD was purified by a sequence of multiple differential centrifugations, ammonium sulphate precipitation, ion-exchange chromatography and G-75 Sephadex column chromatography. The three forms of SOD were present in different cellular locations; one in the cytoplasmic fraction, sensitive to cyanide and hydrogen peroxide, and two in the mitochondrial fraction, one of which was cyanide sensitive. The SOD forms presented clear differences in their electrophoretic patterns. The sexual organs of females showed the highest SOD activities of all the tissues examined. The finding of such high levels of superoxide dismutase inA. suumreflects the importance of this enzyme in the metabolism of this helminth parasite.