Toxicity vs. Detoxification of Sulfite, Nitrite, and Arsenite by Metalloesnzymes: Implications for Health and Environment

Sulfite, nitrite, and arsenic are pervasive environmental and dietary toxicants that pose significant risks to human health due to their high reactivity and ability to disrupt essential metabolic pathways. While these species are widely used in food preservation, agriculture, industry, and medicine, excessive exposure is associated with oxidative stress, methemoglobinemia, carcinogenesis, and neurological and cardiovascular disorders. Living systems rely heavily on metalloenzymes to regulate homeostasis, signaling functions, and detoxification of these compounds. This review examines the biochemical roles of key metalloenzymes involved in the oxidation, reduction, and transformation of sulfite, nitrite, and arsenic, with emphasis on sulfite oxidase, nitrite- and nitric oxide-related metalloproteins, and arsenic-metabolizing enzymes. We discuss their catalytic mechanisms, metal cofactors, and structural features that enable efficient detoxification, as well as the pathological consequences arising from their dysfunction or absence in humans. Collectively, this work highlights metalloenzymes as critical biochemical safeguards against toxic insult and underscores their importance in maintaining environmental and physiological homeostasis.