Mechanism-based suicide inactivation of white Spanish broom (Cytisus multiflorus) peroxidase by excess hydrogen peroxide

Suicide inactivation is a common mechanism observed for haem peroxidases, in which the enzyme is inactivated as a result of self-oxidation mediated by intermediate highly oxidizing enzyme forms during the catalytic cycle. The time-dependence and the inactivation mechanism of Cytisus multiflorus peroxidase (CMP) by hydrogen peroxide were studied kinetically with four co-substrates (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), ferulic acid, guaiacol and o-dianisidine). Catalytic activity decreased following the sequence ABTS>guaiacol>ferulic acid>o-dianisidine. Once the intermediate complex (compound III-H2O2) had been formed, competition was established between the catalytic pathway and the suicide inactivation pathway. One mole of CMP afforded around 3790 turnovers of H2O2 for ABTS before its complete inactivation. These results suggest that CMP follows a suicide mechanism, the enzyme not being protected in this case. The mechanism of suicide inactivation is discussed with a view to establishing a broad knowledge base for future rational protein engineering.