Cellular thiols and redox-regulated signal transduction
1Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California Berkeley 94720, USA.
Current Topics in Cellular Regulation
|June 8, 2000
Summary
Low concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulate cell functions via redox signaling. This involves thiol-based proteins, protein phosphorylation, and calcium signaling, impacting gene expression and offering therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were traditionally viewed as damaging agents.
- Emerging evidence shows physiological ROS concentrations regulate key molecular mechanisms and cell functions.
- Redox regulation is a fundamental mechanism in cell biology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the role of ROS in cellular regulation beyond oxidative damage.
- To explore the mechanisms of redox-based gene expression control.
- To identify potential therapeutic targets for modulating cellular redox status.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of redox-sensing proteins with cysteine residues.
- Investigation of thioredoxin and glutathione in redox signaling.
- Examination of redox sensitivity in protein phosphorylation and transcription factor activity.
- Assessment of calcium ion (Ca2+) homeostasis and its link to redox state.
Main Results:
- Physiological ROS concentrations regulate crucial molecular mechanisms and cell functions.
- Redox-sensitive proteins utilize thiol groups for signal transduction.
- Protein phosphorylation and transcription factor interactions are redox-regulated.
- Intracellular calcium homeostasis is influenced by cellular thiols, impacting NF-kappa B activation.
Conclusions:
- Redox signaling is a critical cellular regulatory network.
- Modulating cellular thioredoxin systems and using thiol agents like N-acetyl-L-cysteine and alpha-lipoic acid show therapeutic promise.
- Understanding redox mechanisms offers new avenues for therapeutic intervention.
More Related Videos
06:10Assessment of Cellular Oxidation using a Subcellular Compartment-Specific Redox-Sensitive Green Fluorescent Protein
Published on: June 18, 2020
07:16Resin-Assisted Capture Coupled with Isobaric Tandem Mass Tag Labeling for Multiplexed Quantification of Protein Thiol Oxidation
Published on: June 21, 2021
Related Concept Videos
01:32Types of Signaling Molecules
In multicellular organisms, many molecules transmit signals between cells to pass information. These signals vary in complexity and include small peptides, nucleotides, steroids, fatty acid derivatives, and dissolved gases such as nitric oxide. Some signaling molecules diffuse through the plasma membrane to act locally between neighboring cells or travel long distances. Others remain attached to the cell surface, transmitting information to other cells only when they make contact. In some...
01:22Amplifying Signals via Enzymatic Cascade
When a ligand binds to a cell-surface receptor, the receptor's intracellular domain changes shape, which may either activate its enzyme function or allow its binding to other molecules. The initial signal is amplified by most signal transduction pathways. This means that a single ligand molecule can activate multiple molecules of a downstream target. Proteins that relay a signal are most commonly phosphorylated at one or more sites, activating or inactivating the protein. Kinases catalyze the...
01:22Diversity in Cell Signaling Responses
The physiological function of a cell and cellular communication are outcomes of a range of extrinsic signals, intracellular signaling pathways, and cellular responses. No two cell types express the same repertoire of signaling components. Receptors are highly selective for their cognate ligands, but once activated, they can alter multiple cellular processes such as DNA transcription, protein synthesis, and metabolic activity.
Graded and Abrupt Responses
Some signaling systems generate...
Graded and Abrupt Responses
Some signaling systems generate...
01:26Signal Transduction: Overview
Cells respond to many types of information, often through receptor proteins positioned on the membrane. They respond to chemical signals, such as hormones, neurotransmitters, and other signaling molecules, initiating a series of molecular reactions to produce an appropriate response. This is called signal transduction. Cells also coordinate different responses elicited by the same signaling molecule via mediators, allowing molecular cross-talk.
Typically, signal transduction involves three...
Typically, signal transduction involves three...
01:27Redox Reactions
Redox reactions are vital biochemical processes that underpin energy metabolism in cells. These reactions involve the transfer of electrons between molecules, occurring in tandem as oxidation and reduction. Oxidation refers to the loss of electrons, while reduction denotes their gain. This coupling ensures the seamless flow of electrons through metabolic pathways. For example, in bacterial metabolism, glucose undergoes oxidation to carbon dioxide, while oxygen is simultaneously reduced to...
01:20Sulfur Assimilation
Sulfur is an essential element in biological systems, contributing to synthesizing key biomolecules, including amino acids such as cysteine and methionine, and cofactors such as coenzyme A and biotin. Microorganisms primarily assimilate sulfur as sulfate (SO₄²⁻) from the environment, which must undergo a series of biochemical transformations before it can be incorporated into cellular components. As sulfate is highly oxidized, it must undergo assimilatory sulfate reduction to become...