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Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Simultaneous Measurement of Superoxide/Hydrogen Peroxide and NADH Production by Flavin-containing Mitochondrial Dehydrogenases
08:57

Simultaneous Measurement of Superoxide/Hydrogen Peroxide and NADH Production by Flavin-containing Mitochondrial Dehydrogenases

Published on: February 24, 2018

Cell transformation by the superoxide-generating oxidase Mox1

Y A Suh1, R S Arnold, B Lassegue

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Emory University Medical School, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.

Nature
|September 15, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are linked to cancer and cell growth. A newly identified gene, mox1, produces ROS in non-phagocytic cells, driving cell proliferation and tumor formation.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a role in mitogenic signaling and cancer development.
  • Increased ROS production is observed in many cancer cells, correlating with enhanced proliferation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize a novel gene involved in ROS production in non-phagocytic cells.
  • To investigate the role of this gene in cell growth, proliferation, and tumor formation.

Main Methods:

  • Cloning of the mox1 gene, a homolog of gp91phox.
  • Analysis of mox1 mRNA expression in various tissues.
  • Investigating the effects of mox1 manipulation (antisense, overexpression) on ROS generation and cell growth in vitro.
  • Assessing tumor formation in vivo using athymic mice.

Main Results:

  • mox1 encodes a superoxide-generating NADPH oxidase homolog and is expressed in colon, prostate, uterus, and vascular smooth muscle.
  • Platelet-derived growth factor induces mox1 mRNA in smooth muscle cells.
  • Antisense mox1 reduced superoxide generation and growth; mox1 overexpression increased superoxide generation and cell growth.
  • mox1-expressing cells exhibited a transformed phenotype, anchorage-independent growth, and formed tumors in mice.

Conclusions:

  • The mox1 gene links ROS production to growth control in non-phagocytic cells.
  • mox1 is a key regulator of cell proliferation and exhibits oncogenic potential.

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