General deion | Horseradish peroxidase is isolated from horseradish roots (Amoracia rusticana) and belongs to the ferroprotoporphyrin group of peroxidases. HRP is a single chain polypeptide containing four disulfide bridges. It is a glycoprotein containing 18% carbohydrate. The carbohydrate composition consists of galactose, arabinose, xylose, fucose, mannose, mannosamine, and galactosamine depending upon the specific isozyme. Its molecular weight (~44 kDa) includes the polypeptide chain (33,890 Daltons), hemin plus Ca2+ (~700 Daltons), and carbohydrate (~9,400 Daltons). At least seven isozymes of HRP exist. The isoelectric point for horseradish peroxidase isozymes ranges from 3.0 - 9.0. |
Biochem/Physiol Actions | HRP readily combines with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and the resultant [HRP-H2O2] complex can oxidize a wide variety of hydrogen donors. The optimal pH is 6.0-6.5 and the enzyme is most stable in the pH range of 5.0-9.0. HRP can be conjugated to antibodies by several different methods including glutaraldehyde, periodate oxidation, through disulfide bonds, and also via amino and thiol directed cross-ers. It is smaller and more stable than the enzyme labels β-galactosidase and alkaline phosphatase.Hence, it is the most desired label. Also, its glycosylation leads to lower non-specific binding.It is also used for the determination of glucose and peroxides in solution. Sodium azide, cyanide, L-cystine, dichromate, ethylenethiourea, hydroxylamine, sulfide, vanadate, p-aminobenzoic acid, and Cd2+, Co2+, Cu2+, Fe3+, Mn2+, Ni2+, Pb2+ ions are known to inhibit the enzyme activity. When incubated with a substrate, horseradish peroxidase produces a coloured, fluorimetric, or luminescent derivative of the labeled molecule, allowing quantification. |
