Mn-based catalytic anti-oxidants characterized in cells: distribution (ID16a) and redox state (ID21) under oxidative stress

Inflammatory bowel diseases are associated with oxidative stress. We use mimic of an anti-oxidant protein, superoxide dismutase or SOD, labelled SOD-mimic (SODm). In the process of improving the activity of SODm, we have prepared a range of Mn-complexes with a higher association constant for Mn than our lead compound (1) and a better activity. We would like to image these new compounds in cells to test whether this better activity is connected to an accumulation at the mitochondria. We have recently developed a Re-based mitotracker that we wish to try to use in co-incubation for colocalisation with the Mn-SOD mimics. We wish also to investigate, using cryo-conditions, the redox state of the complexes in the cellular environment. This study, involving two beamlines, will provide information key to the understanding of these SODm.