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Reactive oxygen species in cell signaling
1Pulmonary and Critical Care Division, Department of Medicine, New England Medical Center/Tupper Research Institute, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA. vthannickal@lifespan.org
American Journal of Physiology. Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology
|November 15, 2000
Summary
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are crucial signaling molecules, but excessive production causes oxidative stress and cellular damage. This review explores ROS generation, signaling pathways, and their role in disease.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Physiology
Background:
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are by-products of cellular metabolism, mainly from mitochondria.
- An imbalance between ROS production and antioxidant defenses leads to oxidative stress, damaging lipids, proteins, and DNA.
- Oxidative stress is implicated in various human diseases, including lung diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evidence for ligand-induced ROS generation.
- To discuss the cellular sources of ROS and their activated signaling pathways.
- To explore emerging concepts in ROS-mediated signal transduction.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on ROS generation and signaling.
- Analysis of evidence for ROS involvement in physiological signaling.
- Discussion of cellular redox state and protein oxidation mechanisms.
Main Results:
- ROS are generated not only as metabolic by-products but also by plasma membrane oxidases during physiological signaling.
- Ligand-induced ROS generation activates specific cellular signaling pathways.
- ROS mediate signaling through alterations in cellular redox state and oxidative protein modifications.
Conclusions:
- ROS play a dual role in cellular function, acting as both damaging agents and signaling molecules.
- Understanding ROS signaling is crucial for comprehending disease pathogenesis and developing therapeutic strategies.
- Further research into ROS-mediated signal transduction mechanisms is warranted.