SOD1

Superoxide dismutase [Cu-Zn] (SOD1) is also known as superoxide dismutase 1 (hSod1), an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the SOD1 gene, located on chromosome 21. SOD1 can bind copper and zinc ions and is one of three superoxide dismutases responsible for destroying free superoxide radicals in the body. The encoded isozyme (SOD1) is a soluble cytoplasmic and mitochondrial intermembrane space protein, acting as a homodimer to convert naturally occurring, but harmful, superoxide radicals to molecular oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. Furthermore, the mutations of SOD1 gene can result in a neurodegenerative disorder affecting upper motor neurons in the brain and lower motor neurons in the brain stem and spinal cord.