The solution structure of the monomeric copper, zinc superoxide dismutase from Salmonella enterica: structural insights to understand the evolution toward the dimeric structure

NMR spectroscopy is used to understand the structure of the SodCII-encoded monomeric Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase from Salmonella enterica. The results provide insight into the functional differences between monomeric and dimeric bacterial Cu, Zn superoxide dismutases and the convergent evolution toward a dimeric structure in prokaryotic and eukaryotic class of enzymes.