Reaction of vanadium(V) with thiols generates vanadium (IV) and thiyl radicals

X L Shi; X Y Sun; N S Dalal

doi:10.1016/0014-5793(90)80402-5

Reaction of vanadium(V) with thiols generates vanadium (IV) and thiyl radicals

FEBS Lett. 1990 Oct 1;271(1-2):185-8. doi: 10.1016/0014-5793(90)80402-5.

Authors

X L Shi¹, X Y Sun, N S Dalal

Affiliation

¹ Department of Chemistry, West Virginia University Morgantown, WV 26506.

PMID: 2172000
DOI: 10.1016/0014-5793(90)80402-5

Abstract

The in vivo toxicity of vanadium(V) has been found to correlate with the depletion of cellular glutathione and related non-protein thiols. With a view to understanding the mechanism for this observation, we have investigated the oxidation of glutathione, cysteine N-acetylcysteine and penicillamine by vanadium(V), using electron spin resonance (ESR) and ESR spin trapping methodology. The spin trap used was 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline 1-oxide (DMPO). It is found that the oxidation of these thiols by vanadium(V) generates the corresponding thiyl radicals and vanadium- (IV) complexes. The results suggest that free radical reactions play a significant role in the depletion of cellular thiols by vanadium(V) and hence in vanadium(V) toxicity.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy
Free Radicals*
Sulfhydryl Compounds / metabolism*
Vanadium / metabolism*

Substances

Free Radicals
Sulfhydryl Compounds
Vanadium