The benzene metabolite p-benzoquinone inhibits the catalytic activity of bovine liver catalase: A biophysical study

The current communication reports the inhibitory effect of para-benzoquinone (p-BQ) on the structure and function of bovine liver catalase (BLC), a vital antioxidant enzyme. Both BLC and p-BQ were dissolved in respective buffers and the biophysical interaction was studied at physiological concentrations. For the first time our data reveals an enthalpy-driven interaction between BLC and p-BQ which is due to hydrogen bonding and van derWaals interactions. The binding affinity of p-BQ with BLC is nearly 2.5 folds stronger in MOPS buffer than Phosphate buffer. Importantly, the binding affinity between BLC and p-BQ was weak in HEPES buffer as compared to other buffers being the strongest in Tris buffer. Molecular docking studies reveal that binding affinity of p-BQ with BLC differ depending upon the nature of buffers rather than on the participating amino acid residues of BLC. This is further supported by the differential changes in secondary structures of BLC. The p-BQ-induced conformational change in BLC was evident from the reduced BLC activity in presence of different buffers in the following order, Phosphate>MOPS>Tris>HEPES. The absorbance peak of BLC was gradually increased and fluorescence spectra of BLC were drastically decreased when BLC to p-BQ molar ratio was incrementally enhanced from 0 to 10,000 times in presence of all buffers. Nevertheless, the declined activity of BLCwas positively correlatedwith the reduced fluorescence and negatively correlatedwith the enhanced absorbance. Electrochemical study with cyclic voltammeter also suggests a direct binding of p-BQ with BLC in presence of different buffers. Thus, p-BQ-mediated altered secondary structure in BLC results into compromised activity of BLC. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study reveals the inhibitory effect of para-benzoquinone on the structure and function of bovine liver catalase. The binding affinity between para-benzoquinone and BLC varies depending on the nature of buffers used. The altered secondary structure of BLC induced by para-benzoquinone results in compromised enzyme activity.