Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 21, 2026

ROS Live Cell Imaging During Neuronal Development
09:25

ROS Live Cell Imaging During Neuronal Development

Published on: February 9, 2021

Tissue distribution and putative physiological function of NOX family NADPH oxidases

Karl-Heinz Krause1

  • 1Biology of Ageing Laboratories, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. Karl-Heinz.Krause@medecine.unige.ch

Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases
|October 28, 2004
PubMed

Insights

The NOX family of NADPH oxidases includes seven members with diverse roles in host defense, signaling, and development. Understanding their specific functions is crucial for various physiological processes.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • The NADPH oxidase (NOX) family comprises seven enzymes (NOX1-5, DUOX1-2) generating reactive oxygen species (ROS).
  • These enzymes are implicated in various physiological and pathological processes, including host defense, signaling, and development.
  • Specific roles and regulation mechanisms for several NOX family members remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of the NOX enzyme family.
  • To summarize the known tissue distribution and potential functions of each NOX member.
  • To highlight areas of ongoing research and unknown physiological roles.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on NOX enzymes.
  • Analysis of reported expression patterns and functional studies.
  • Comparative overview of NOX family members.

Main Results:

  • NOX1: Primarily in the colon, potential role in host defense.
  • NOX2: Phagocytic NADPH oxidase, established host defense enzyme.
  • NOX3: Inner ear, otoconia morphogenesis, potential auditory system role.
  • NOX4: Widely expressed, possibly constitutive, function unclear.
  • NOX5: Calcium-activated, lymphoid tissues/testis, potential signaling role.
  • DUOX1/2: Thyroid, respiratory/gastrointestinal epithelia, thyroid hormone synthesis, potential host defense.

Conclusions:

  • The NOX family exhibits diverse tissue-specific expression and functional roles.
  • While some NOX enzymes have well-defined functions (e.g., NOX2), others require further investigation (e.g., NOX4).
  • NOX enzymes are critical for host defense, development, and cellular signaling, underscoring their physiological importance.

More Related Videos

In vivo Imaging Method to Distinguish Acute and Chronic Inflammation07:10

In vivo Imaging Method to Distinguish Acute and Chronic Inflammation

Published on: August 16, 2013

Bioluminescence Imaging of NADPH Oxidase Activity in Different Animal Models10:42

Bioluminescence Imaging of NADPH Oxidase Activity in Different Animal Models

Published on: October 22, 2012

Related Concept Videos

Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway01:28

Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway

Nitric oxide (NO), an inorganic gas, acts as a potent second messenger in most animal and plant tissues. NO diffuses out of the cells that produce it and enters the neighboring cells to generate a downstream response. NO synthase (NOS) catalyzes NO production by the deamination of the amino acid arginine. There are three isoforms of NOS. Endothelial cells have endothelial NOS (eNOS), nerve and muscle cells have neuronal NOS (nNOS), and macrophages produce inducible NOS (iNOS) upon exposure to...
Peroxisomes01:24

Peroxisomes

Peroxisomes are specialized organelles present in fungi, plant, and animal cells. It can vary in number, size, morphology, and activity depending on the type of tissue and the nutritional state of the cell. For example, cells with active lipid metabolism, such as adipocytes, neurons, and hepatocytes, have more peroxisomes than other cells in the body. Besides their primary role in breaking down complex organic molecules, peroxisomes can also synthesize specific macromolecules and participate in...
Role of Reduced Coenzymes NADH and FADH₂01:29

Role of Reduced Coenzymes NADH and FADH₂

The energy released from the breakdown of the chemical bonds within nutrients can be stored either through the reduction of electron carriers or in the bonds of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). In living systems, a small class of compounds functions as mobile electron carriers, molecules that bind to and shuttle high-energy electrons between compounds in pathways. The principal electron carriers that will be considered originate from the B vitamin group and are derivatives of nucleotides; they are...
Peroxisomes01:30

Peroxisomes

Peroxisomes and mitochondria are two important oxygen-utilizing organelles in eukaryotic cells. Mitochondria carry out cellular respiration—the process that converts energy from food into ATP. Peroxisomes carry out a variety of functions, primarily breaking down different substances, such as fatty acids.The peroxisome is a single membrane-bound cellular organelle that can perform several different functions, including lipid metabolism and chemical detoxification. The enzymes within peroxisomes...
Redox Reactions01:27

Redox 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...
Electron Transport Chain: Complex III and IV01:43

Electron Transport Chain: Complex III and IV

During the electron transport chain, electrons from NADH and FADH2 are first transferred to complexes I and II, respectively. These two complexes then transfer the electrons to ubiquinol, which carries them further to complex III. Complex III passes the electrons across the intermembrane space to Cyt c, which carries them further to complex IV. Complex IV donates electrons to oxygen and reduces it to water. As electrons pass through complexes I, III, and IV, the energy released aids the pumping...