title: Ultrasound-mediated release of iron from ferritin.
abstract: We investigated the release of iron from ferritin in aqueous solutions exposed to high-frequency ultrasound (US). Our data suggests that superoxide produced as a result of ultrasonic cavitation acts as a reducing agent, enabling the release of iron from ferritin. We also found that the release of ferritin iron during US exposure is enhanced by the addition of 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone. We hypothesize that this quinone is ultrasonically transformed into a semiquinone radical capable of directly and indirectly reducing Fe(3+) in ferritin to soluble Fe(2+). Our proposed mechanism for the release of iron from ferritin adds new insight to the synergistic effect of quinone-containing cancer drugs with US.
authors.affiliation: Cavalier Discovery Incorporated, Mason, OH 45040, USA. jmorrissey@cinci.rr.com
authors.forename: Jody M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Morrissey
authors.forename: Kevin D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: S Douglass
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Gilman
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005293:Ferritins / Q000737:chemistry*; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D009285:Naphthoquinones / Q000494:pharmacology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D013481:Superoxides; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy; D014465:Ultrasonics
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009285:Naphthoquinones; D013481:Superoxides; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron; C005134:juglone