Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the preparation and assay of superoxide
dismutase (SOD). SODs are found in all oxygen-utilizing organisms and constitute a defense
against oxygen toxicity. SODs were first isolated from erythrocytes as a copper protein of
unknown function. Thus, some SODs contain copper and zinc, others contain manganese,
and still others contain iron. Assay techniques for each of these enzymes are similar, but
distinct isolation procedures are used in their purification. Most mammalian tissues contain …