Superoxide Radical and the Bactericidal Action of Phagocytes

When molecular oxygen is reduced, it tends to gain a single electron and thus to form the Superoxide radical. As a consequence, the Superoxide radical is a common intermediate in numerous biologic oxidations. Its unrestrained reactivities and those of the other radical species it can engender would certainly damage the molecular fabric of life. Consequently, respiring cells must have some defense against the Superoxide radical. This appears to be provided by enzymes that catalytically scavenge the radical by the reaction: These enzymes, which are called Superoxide dismutases, have been shown to protect micro-organisms against the toxicity of oxygen.1 , 2 Given the . . .