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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
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
Summary
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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