SOD-2 Inhibitors

Common SOD-2 Inhibitors include, but are not limited to Doxorubicin CAS 23214-92-8, Paraquat chloride CAS 1910-42-5, Rotenone CAS 83-79-4, 2-Deoxy-D-glucose CAS 154-17-6 and Actinomycin D CAS 50-76-0.

Superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD-2), also referred to as mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), is an integral enzyme located within the mitochondria, the cell's powerhouses. Its primary role is to safeguard these organelles by catalyzing the dismutation of superoxide radicals into molecular oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. Given that the mitochondria are pivotal sites for electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation, they are susceptible to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), particularly the superoxide anion. ROS can wreak havoc on cellular components, damaging proteins, lipids, and DNA. The presence of SOD-2 ensures that these deleterious superoxide radicals are rapidly converted into less reactive species, thus playing a critical role in maintaining the integrity and functionality of the mitochondria.

SOD-2 inhibitors are compounds that specifically curtail the activity of the SOD-2 enzyme. By doing so, they can modulate the levels of superoxide radicals within the mitochondria. The design and exploration of SOD-2 inhibitors arise from the understanding of the enzyme's structure and its active site, which contains a manganese ion essential for its catalytic activity. Various molecular entities, from small organic molecules to more complex compounds, have been investigated for their ability to inhibit SOD-2. The mechanisms by which these inhibitors work can range from chelating the manganese ion, preventing its participation in catalysis, to altering the enzyme's conformation, rendering it inactive.