BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
Abstract
The generation of the daunomycin semiquinone was studied in intact red blood cells under CO atmosphere by ESR spectroscopy. The undialyzed hemolysates and the spin broadening agent chromium oxalate quenched the ESR signal, suggesting external location of the ESR-detectable radicals and their slow diffusion inside. A constant outward flow of O2− was detected by monitoring the approach to the steady state of the ESR signal of Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase externally added to red blood cells plus daunomycin in air. This suggests a reductase on the outer side of the erythrocyte membrane as the source of daunomycin radicals.
