NADPH oxidase-like activity in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) macrophages.

Evidence for the existence of an NADPH oxidase-like enzyme in rainbow trout macrophages is given. Reduced-minus-oxidised difference spectroscopy revealed the presence of a cytochrome b with three absorbance peaks, at 430, 533, and 558 nm. The low midpoint potential of the latter peak suggests this cytochrome is the same as the terminal component of NADPH oxidase (i.e., cytochrome b-245). Subcellular fractionation of macrophages revealed two peaks of cytochrome b activity, in accord with the concept of a plasma membrane localisation of cytochrome b activity in addition to a mitochondrial localisation. Finally, that the rainbow trout oxidase is a multicomponent enzyme was suggested by inhibitor studies, where specific inhibitors of the flavin and cytochrome b-245 components of NADPH oxidase induced significant reduction in superoxide anion production.