Study on the synthesis of ceruloplasmin as a functional radioprotector

Ceruloplasmin is a normal, copper-containing plasma protein that has extracellular antioxidant properties in human and mammals. The in vivo physiological function has not yet been clarified, however, it has been proposed that ceruloplasmin may have a role in oxidation of Fe2+ to Fe3+ (ferroxidase) and promotion of lipoprotein oxidation under some circumstances. In this investigation, in addition to the many already known functions of ceruloplasmin, we would like to propose that ceruloplasmin has a thio-linked peroxidase function. The results are followings. 1) Human ceruloplasmin exhibited different antioxidant effects according to the electron donors in a metal-catalyzed oxidation system. 2) Purified ceruloplasmin did not plat a significant role in the protection of DNA stand breaks in the ascorbate/Fe3+/O2 system. However, when ascorbate were replaced with a thiol-reducing equivalent such as dithiothreitol, DNA strand breaks were significantly prevented by the same amount of ceruloplasmin. 3) Human ceruloplasmin showed a potent peroxidase ability to destroy H2O2 in the presence reduced glutathione. 4) Structural integrity may be needed for the glutathione-linked peroxidase activity of human ceruloplasmin. Intact human ceruloplasmin has a potent peroxidase properties to decompose H2O2 in the presence of reduced glutathione