The multicopper oxidase of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MmcO) exhibits ferroxidase activity and scavenges reactive oxygen species in activated THP-1 cells.

The MmcO protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a membrane-associated multicopper oxidase. Its natural substrate(s) and its role in pathogenesis are not well characterized. A recent report proposes that MmcO contributes to copper resistance in M. tuberculosis during infection. We have expressed and reconstituted the active enzyme from inclusion bodies in E. coli. MmcO exhibits maximal activity against the experimental substrate 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) or ABTS, at pH 4. The enzyme also exhibits ferroxidase activity at pH 4. Most notable was the finding that MmcO is able to scavenge the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by the xanthine/xanthine oxidase enzyme system. This ROS scavenging activity of MmcO was also evident against ROS generated by THP-1 cells. We propose that MmcO protects M. tuberculosis during infection against ROS attack in addition to providing copper resistance to the pathogen.