Markers of protein oxidation: different oxidants give rise to variable yields of bound and released carbonyl products

Exposure of proteins to radicals in the presence of O2 gives both side-chain oxidation and backbone fragmentation. These processes can be interrelated, with initial side-chain oxidation giving rise to backbone damage via transfer reactions. We have shown previously that alkoxyl radicals formed on the C-3 carbons of Ala, Val, Leu, and Asp residues undergo β-scission to give backbone α-carbon radicals, with the release of the side- chain as a carbonyl compound. We now show that this is a general mechanism that occurs with a wide range of oxidants. The quantitative significance of this process depends on the extent of oxidation at C-3 compared with other sites. HO√, generated by γ radiolysis, gave the highest total carbonyl yield, with protein-bound carbonyls predominating over released. In contrast, metal ion/H2O2 systems, gave more released than bound carbonyls, with this ratio modulated by EDTA. This is ascribed to metal ion – protein interactions affecting the sites of initial oxidation. Hypochlorous acid gave low concentrations of released carbonyls, but high yields of protein-bound material. The peroxyl radical generator 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) hydrochloride, and a peroxynitrite generator, 3-morpholinosydnonimine hydrochloride, gave lower overall carbonyl yields, with released carbonyls predominating over protein-bound species similar to that observed with metal ion/H2O2 systems.