Microbial superoxide dismutase enzyme as therapeutic agent and future gene therapy (original) (raw)

All aerobically growing organisms come into contact with reactive oxygen species or free radicals, generated as a byproduct of normal respiratory processes or from encounter with exogenous oxidants. To counter the damaging effect of reactive oxygen species, cells have evolved anti-oxidant defense systems, whose expression is usually induced by reactive oxygen species and/or oxidants. One of the most important antioxidant defense systems in nearly all cells exposed to oxygen is the production of superoxide dismutase enzyme. Superoxide dismutases discovered by Irwin Fridovich and Joe McCord, are class of metal cofactored enzymes that detoxify these free radicals by catalyzing the dismutation of superoxide into oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. Seen to their continuous exposure to high oxidative stress during growth and metabolism, aerobic microorganisms represent an excellent source for production of superoxide dismutases. Many studies clarified the efficacy of superoxide dismutases as a therapy in the treatment of many diseases, in addition to their inclusion in cosmetic products to reduce free radical damage to skin. Recently, superoxide dismutases became target for gene therapeutic approaches. In the present chapter, the history of the discovery of superoxide dismutase enzymes, their types, structure, therapeutic and cosmetic uses, in addition to their therapeutic potential in future gene therapy, have been reviewed and discussed.