Superoxide Dismutase of Micrococcus sp. S2 and Its Involve in Paraquat Detoxification

As an active ingredient of herbicide, paraquat will induce formation of superoxide radicals. The previous research succeeded in isolating paraquat degrading bacteria from peat soil, Micrococcus sp. S2, that tolerant to high concentration of paraquat. An anti-oxidative enzyme, namely superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC.1.15.1.1), was believed to be responsible for the paraquat tolerance. This research was conducted to study the characteristic of the SOD synthesize by Micrococcus sp. S2 and its ability on neutralize superoxide which arise from paraquat reoxidation. To observe the effect of paraquat on Micrococcus sp. S2, the bacteria was grown in 10% Luria Bertani broth medium amended with several concentrations of paraquat, from 0 (control) up to 100 mg/ml. Within incubation time of 72 hours, bacterial growth, activity of superoxide dismutase and paraquat residue were analyzed. The isozymes of superoxide dismutase were distinguished using two kinds of specific inhibitor, namely HO and KCN. 2 2 The results showed that paraquat significantly inhibit the growth of Micrococcus sp. S2. The higher paraquat cocentration in the medium caused the higher growth inhibition. However, the bacteria is still survive in the medium containing toxic herbicide, and this ability was suggested related to superoxide dismutase activity in removing the superoxide radicals. Analysis using gel electrophoresis indicated that at least three types of SOD isozyme were synthesized by Micrococcus sp. S2; they were Ferri-SOD (Fe-SOD), Mangani-SOD (Mn-SOD), and the last one was suspected to be the Cupro Zinc-SOD (CuZn-SOD). The Mangani-SOD was suspected to play an important roles on detoxifying superoxide which arise from paraquat oxidation. Keywords : Micrococcus sp.S2, paraquat, superoxide dismutase, isozymes