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Updated: Dec 20, 2025
10:38
Synthesis and Calibration of Phosphorescent Nanoprobes for Oxygen Imaging in Biological Systems
Published on: March 3, 2010
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Oxygen-sensing mechanisms in cells.
James W Wilson1, Dilem Shakir1, Michael Batie1
1Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, UK.
The FEBS Journal
|May 24, 2020
Summary
Oxygen is crucial for life and acts as a signaling molecule impacting gene expression. This review explores oxygen
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cellular Physiology
Background:
- Oxygen is essential for aerobic organisms and bioenergetics, particularly in mitochondria.
- Cellular oxygen sensing mechanisms have been extensively studied, leading to Nobel Prize-winning discoveries.
- Emerging research reveals oxygen's broader role as a signaling molecule in diverse molecular processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the known and unknown functions of oxygen as a signaling molecule.
- To highlight the role of 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases in cellular oxygen responses.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of oxygen signaling pathways.
- Focus on gene expression control mechanisms related to oxygen.
- Analysis of the function of 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases.
Main Results:
- Oxygen's role extends beyond bioenergetics to gene expression regulation.
- 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases are key mediators of oxygen-dependent cellular responses.
- Significant gaps remain in understanding the full scope of oxygen's signaling functions.
Conclusions:
- Oxygen is a critical signaling molecule influencing numerous cellular processes, especially gene expression.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the complex mechanisms of oxygen signaling.
- 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases represent a central hub in cellular adaptation to oxygen fluctuations.
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