Non-Chelation Dependent Redox Actions of Desferrioxamine

Desferrioxamine (DFO) has been widely used as a specific iron chelator. In this study, the non-chelation dependent redox actions of DFO were demonstrated. The protection by DFO against DNA scission caused by tetrachlorohydroquinone arises from a reaction between tetrachlorosemiquinone radical and DFO which yields a DFO nitroxide free radical. DFO was also found to enhance dechlorination of tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone. These results suggest two additional mechanisms through which DFO might have effects on biological oxidation reactions.