Metals inhibit riboflavin-catalyzed generation of superoxide anion in vitro

We found that addition of cationic metals inhibited flavin-catalyzed superoxide anion ( {Mathematical expression}) production in vitro. Inhibition of {Mathematical expression} generation by metals appeared to relate to the ability of metal ions to chelate or complex with amine groups, altering their electronegativity. Metal inhibition of {Mathematical expression} production has important implications for biological systems involving {Mathematical expression} radical production, as well as for assays requiring the generation of {Mathematical expression}in vitro.