Iron is present in enzymes like peroxidase, catalase and cytochromes, thus playing an active role in the electron transport systems of the body which release energy in the cells.
Peroxidase contains hemes and it is important as antioxidant enzymes, protecting cells from damage by hydrogen peroxide.
The immune system also relies on a heme containing enzyme myeloperox9dase, which produced by white blood cells which engulf bacteria and kills them.
Peroxidases are widely distributed in nature and they participate in many important physiological functions. This enzyme catalyzes the oxidation of a variety of reducing compounds at the expense of the reduction of H2O2 to H2O.
Myeloperoxidase is found in neutrophils, where it assists in the antimicro0bal activity of the cells by forming oxidized halide species as well as singlet oxygen.
Iron in peroxidase enzyme
