Biological Defense Mechanisms THE EFFECT OF BACTERIA AND SERUM ON SUPEROXIDE PRODUCTION BY GRANULOCYTES

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Abstract

We previously reported that granulocytes are able to produce superoxide (O2-), a highly reactive compound formed by the one-electron reduction of oxygen. The demonstration of O2- production was based on the observation that the reduction of extra-cellular cytochrome c by granulocytes was greatly diminished by superoxide dismutase, an enzyme catalyzing the conversion of O2- to hydrogen peroxide and oxygen. In the present report, studies concerning the effect of bacteria and serum on O2--dependent cytochrome c reduction by granulocytes are described.

Authors

John T. Curnutte, Bernard M. Babior