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Triggering and modulation of apoptosis by oxidative stress
J Chandra1, A Samali, S Orrenius
1Division of Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Free Radical Biology & Medicine
|October 18, 2000
Summary
Cell survival depends on oxygen and antioxidants. Oxidative stress can trigger apoptosis or necrosis, with severity dictating cell fate and death mode.
Area of Science:
- Cellular biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cell survival is regulated by molecular oxygen and antioxidants.
- Oxidative insults can overwhelm natural defenses, leading to cell death.
- The severity of oxidative stress determines whether cells undergo apoptosis or necrosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current understanding of oxidative stress and apoptosis.
- To explore how oxidants modulate the apoptotic pathway.
- To discuss the mechanisms linking oxidative stress to cell death modes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on oxidative stress and cell death.
- Analysis of paradigms for oxidative stress and apoptosis.
- Discussion of potential mechanisms of oxidant modulation.
Main Results:
- Oxidants and antioxidants influence cell fate.
- The mode of cell death (apoptosis vs. necrosis) is modulated by oxidants.
- Oxidative stress effects on apoptotic machinery mediate this modulation.
Conclusions:
- Oxidative stress plays a critical role in determining cell fate.
- The balance of oxidants and antioxidants is crucial for cell survival.
- Understanding these mechanisms is key to addressing diseases involving cell death.