Enhancing hypothiocyanite production by lactoperoxidase – mechanism and chemical properties of promotors

Background The heme enzyme lactoperoxidase is found in body secretions where it significantly contributes to the humoral immune response against pathogens. After activation the peroxidase oxidizes thiocyanate to hypothiocyanite which is known for its microbicidal properties. Yet several pathologies are accompanied by a disturbed hypothiocyanite production which results in a reduced immune defense. Methods The results were obtained by measuring enzyme-kinetic parameters using UV-vis spectroscopy and a standardized enzyme-kinetic test system as well as by the determination of second order rate constants using stopped-flow spectroscopy. Results In this study we systematically tested thirty aromatic substrates for their efficiency to promote the lactoperoxidase-mediated hypothiocyanite production by restoring the native ferric enzyme state. Thereby hydrophobic compounds with a 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl partial structure such as hydroxytyrosol and selected flavonoids emerged as highly efficient promotors of the (pseudo-)halogenating lactoperoxidase activity. Conclusions This study discusses important structure-function relationships of efficient aromatic LPO substrates and may contribute to the development of new agents to promote lactoperoxidase activity in secretory fluids of patients. Significance This study may contribute to a better understanding of the (patho-)physiological importance of the (pseudo-)halogenating lactoperoxidase activity. The presented results may in future lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies which, by reactivating lactoperoxidase-derived hypothiocyanite production, promote the immunological activity of this enzyme.