How does superoxide damage cells?

Q: How does superoxide damage cells?

Superoxide (O2-) itself has poor reactivity, but damages cells by promoting hydroxyl radical (.OH) formation, which in turn damages DNA in cells. The way this happens is that superoxide interacts with iron-sulfur clusters to obtain free iron to be used in the Haber-Weiss reaction, which generates hydroxyl radials from superoxide and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).

Posted April 2, 2020

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)

Answer

Superoxide (O₂^-) itself has poor reactivity, but damages cells by promoting hydroxyl radical (.OH) formation, which in turn damages DNA in cells. The way this happens is that superoxide interacts with iron-sulfur clusters to obtain free iron to be used in the Haber-Weiss reaction, which generates hydroxyl radials from superoxide and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂).

Additional resources

Cell Meter™ Fluorimetric Mitochondrial Superoxide Activity Assay Kit*Optimized for Flow Cytometry*

Amplite™ Colorimetric Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) Assay Kit *Enhanced Sensitivity*