Chemical kinetics and interactions involved in horseradish peroxidase-mediated oxidative polymerization of phenolic compounds

The primary objective of this research was to evaluate various factors that affect the reaction rate of oxidative coupling (OXC) reaction of phenolic estrogens catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Kinetic parameters were obtained for the conversion of phenol as well as natural and synthetic estrogens estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2). Molecular orbital theory and Autodock software were employed to analyze chemical properties and substrate binding characteristics. Reactions were first order with respect to phenolic concentration and reaction rate constants (kr) were determined for phenol, E3, E1, E2 and EE2 (in increasing order). Oxidative coupling was controlled by enzyme–substrate interactions, not collision frequency. Docking simulations show that higher binding energy and a shorter binding distance both promote more favorable kinetics. This research is the first to show that the OXC of phenolics is an entropy-driven and enthalpy-retarded process.

► Oxidative coupling of phenolic estrogens is controlled by enzyme–substrate interactions, not diffusion.
► Higher binding energy and a shorter binding distance both promote more favorable kinetics.
► Oxidative coupling of phenolics is an entropy-driven and enthalpy-retarded process.