ABSTRACT
Chemists have attempted to mimic such enzymes as P450s, catalases, hemoglobin, photosynthetic reaction centers, and superoxide dismutases to name a few. An ideal mimic would catalyze the same reaction as the parent enzyme with specificity and efficiency matching that of the native enzyme. Several criteria determine which synthetic compounds will be the best mimics of superoxide dismutase (SOD). The intact mimic, and any dissociation or decomposition or metabolic products, should have minimal toxicity and be easily eliminated from the organism. The study of iron (Fe) complexes as mimics of SOD is complicated by the fact that Fe and Fe complexes, like copper (Cu) and Cu complexes, have been known for some time to catalyze Fenton chemistry, the end result of which is the production of OH• radicals. The effects of iron-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid on the assays for SOD activity were subsequently examined and explained.
