The metal-catalyzed oxidation of methionine in peptides by Fenton systems involves two consecutive one-electron oxidation processes

The one-electron oxidation of methionine (Met) plays an important role in the redox reactions of Met in peptides and proteins under conditions of oxidative stress, e.g., during the metal-catalyzed oxidation of β-amyloid peptide (βA). However, little information is available with regard to mechanisms and product formation during the metal-catalyzed oxidation of Met. Here, we demonstrate that two-electron oxidation of Met in Fenton reactions, carried out aerobically by [FeII(EDTA)]2− and H2O2 (EDTA = ethylenediaminetetra acetate) is the consequence of two consecutive one-electron transfer reactions carried out by either free or complexed hydroxyl radicals, followed by the reaction of an intermediary sulfur-nitrogen bonded radical cation (sulfuranyl radical) with O2. The model peptide Met-Met represents an ideal substrate for these investigations as its one-electron oxidation, followed by reaction with molecular oxygen, produces unique intermediates, azasulfonium diastereomers, which can be chemically isolated before hydrolysis to sulfoxide occurs.