Superoxide dismutase (SOD) !

Superoxide dismutase turns the superoxide radical into hydrogen peroxide and oxygen; it is the first antioxidant line.

Updated 2026-11-01

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Key facts

2 O₂•⁻ + 2 H⁺ → H₂O₂ + O₂; catalase or glutathione peroxidase then remove the H₂O₂.
Three forms: SOD1 with copper and zinc (cytosol), SOD2 with manganese (mitochondrial matrix, next to the chain) and SOD3 (extracellular).
It is one of the fastest enzymes known: it works almost at the rate of diffusion.
Copper changes valence in the reaction; zinc stabilises the structure.

SOD2 is induced by inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress.
It needs copper, zinc or manganese depending on the form: deficiency lowers activity.

SOD1 variants cause part of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; the damage comes from the misfolded protein, not only from lost activity.
Neutrophils use superoxide to kill microbes: SOD turns it into H₂O₂, which myeloperoxidase converts to hypochlorite.

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What reaction does superoxide dismutase catalyse?

It turns two superoxides into H₂O₂ and O₂; catalase and glutathione peroxidase then remove the H₂O₂.

Which metal does mitochondrial SOD contain?

Manganese (SOD2); the cytosolic form (SOD1) has copper and zinc.

Which neurological disease is linked to SOD1 variants?

Familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

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