Work

Superoxide-dependent formation of hydroxyl radicals in the presence of iron salts. Detection of ‘free’ iron in biological systems by using bleomycin-dependent degradation of DNA

Year: 1981

Type: article

Abstract: Bleomycin in the presence of iron(II) degrades DNA to form a thiobarbituric acid-reactive product. This has been made the basis of a specific assay method for 'free' iron in biological fluids. Human synovial fluid, human cerebrospinal fluid and rat pleural-exudate fluid were found to contain micromolar concentrations of 'free' iron, which would be sufficient to allow formation of the hydroxyl radical from superoxide and hydrogen peroxide generated in vivo. This assay method does not detect iron bound to transport proteins or to enzymes.

Source: Biochemical Journal

DOI: 10.1042/bj1990263

Authors: J M C Gutteridge, D A Rowley, B Halliwell

Institutions: National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, King's College London

Language: English

Topic: Iron Metabolism and Disorders

Subfield: Hematology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: Wellcome Trust