Superoxide Production by Purified Hamster Hepatic Nuclei

We have found that hamster hepatic nuclei produce substantial quantities of superoxide in the presence of NADPH. We have determined that these nuclei contain copper-zinc superoxide dismutase which can be almost entirely removed by extensive washing. We have suggested that this nuclear superoxide dismutase is in equilibrium with cytoplasmic superoxide dismutase. Finally, we have presented evidence which demonstrates that the flavoprotein FAD-monooxygenase is responsible for most of the nuclear superoxide production.