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Updated: May 7, 2026

Production and Detection of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in Cancers
Published on: November 21, 2011
ROS as signalling molecules: mechanisms that generate specificity in ROS homeostasis
Benoît D'Autréaux1, Michel B Toledano
1CEA, IBITECS, SBIGEM, Laboratoire Stress Oxydants et Cancer, Batiment 142, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique-Saclay, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
Abstract:
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been shown to be toxic but also function as signalling molecules. This biological paradox underlies mechanisms that are important for the integrity and fitness of living organisms and their ageing. The pathways that regulate ROS homeostasis are crucial for mitigating the toxicity of ROS and provide strong evidence about specificity in ROS signalling. By taking advantage of the chemistry of ROS, highly specific mechanisms have evolved that form the basis of oxidant scavenging and ROS signalling systems.
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