Collaborative Effect of CuZnSOD and Human AP Endonuclease against Oxidative Stress

The defenses against free radical damage include specialized repair enzymes that correct oxidative damages in DNA, and detoxification systems such as superoxide dismutases. These defenses may be coordinated genetically as global responses. We hypothesized that the expression of the SOD and the DNA repair genes would inhibit DNA damage under oxidative stress. Therefore, the protection of E. coli mutants deficient in SOD and DNA repair genes $(sod^-\;xth^-\;and\;nfo^-)$ was demonstrated by transforming the mutant strain with a plasmid pYK9 which encoded Photobacterium leiognathi CuZnSOD and human AP endonuclease. The results show that survival rates were increased in $sod^+\;xth^-\;nfo^+$ cells compared to $sod^-\;xth^-\;ap^+,\;sod^-\;xth^-\;ap^-,\;and\;sod^+\;xth^-\;ap^-$ cells under oxidative stress generated from 0.1 mM Paraquat or 3 mM $H_2O_2$. The data suggested that, at least, SOD and DNA repair enzymes may have collaborate protection and repair of the damaged DNA. Additionally, both enzymes are required for protection against free radicals.