ROS are evolutionary conserved cell-to-cell stress signals

Area of Science:

• Cellular Biology
• Biochemistry
• Evolutionary Biology

Background:

• Cell-to-cell communication is vital for multicellular and microbial communities.
• Reactive oxygen species (ROS) act as signaling molecules in various biological processes.
• A ROS wave mechanism for systemic signaling and stress acclimation was previously identified in plants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the presence and function of ROS waves in organisms beyond plants.
• To determine if ROS waves represent an ancient form of cell-to-cell communication.

Main Methods:

• Investigated ROS wave propagation in unicellular algae, amoeba, ferns, mosses, mammalian cells, and isolated hearts.
• Induced ROS waves using local stress or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).
• Blocked ROS wave signaling using catalase and NADPH oxidase inhibitors.

Main Results:

• ROS waves were detected in unicellular algae, amoeba, ferns, mosses, mammalian cells, and isolated hearts.
• ROS wave propagation can be triggered by local stress or H2O2 and inhibited by specific blockers.
• In unicellular algae, ROS waves transmit crucial stress-response signals between cells.

Conclusions:

• The ROS wave is an evolutionarily conserved cell-to-cell signaling mechanism predating the divergence of unicellular and multicellular organisms.
• This ancient signaling pathway likely facilitated communication of environmental stress and coordinated acclimation responses.
• The presence of ROS waves in mammalian cells offers insights into diseases like cancer and heart disease and potential therapeutic targets.