Superoxide dismutase (SOD)
An enzyme that destroys superoxide: O2- + O2- + 2H+ –> H2O2 + O2
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is an antioxidant enzyme found in living cells. Its primary function is to protect cellular components from oxidative damage caused by harmful free radicals, such as superoxide. SOD works by converting superoxide into less harmful oxygen and hydrogen peroxide, which can then be further broken down by other antioxidant enzymes.
SOD is present in nearly all living organisms, including bacteria, plants, and animals, and plays a crucial role in regulating cellular redox balance. There are several different types of SOD enzymes, including copper/zinc (Cu/Zn) SOD, manganese (Mn) SOD, and iron (Fe) SOD, each of which has a slightly different structure and function.
Deficiency in SOD has been linked to a number of diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer. As a result, there is significant interest in developing SOD-based therapies to treat or prevent these conditions. Additionally, supplements containing SOD have been marketed as anti-aging treatments, although there is limited scientific evidence to support these claims.
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