Roles of Extracellular Superoxide Dismutase in Regulating Cell Migration and Vesicle Trafficking in Dictyostelium and...

Superoxide dismutases (SODs) are key regulators of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and redox balance. Although intracellular SODs have been extensively studied, growing attention has been directed toward understanding the roles of extracellular SODs in both Dictyostelium and mammalian systems. In Dictyostelium discoideum, SodC is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored enzyme that modulates extracellular superoxide to regulate Ras, PI3K signaling, and cytoskeletal remodeling during directional cell migration. Loss of SodC leads to persistent Ras activation, impaired migration, and defective vesicle trafficking, including contractile vacuole (CV) morphogenesis and function. The mammalian EC-SOD (SOD3) localizes not only on the extracellular heparin-binding sites but also within vesicular compartments such as phagosomes, secretory vesicles, and exosomes. EC-SOD limits inflammation, preserves the extracellular matrix, modulates immune and cancer cell migration, and modulates Ras-Erk and PI3K-PKB signaling pathways. Despite evolutionary divergences, both SodC in Dictyostelium and EC-SOD in humans serve to modulate extracellular oxidative cues and maintain cellular function. The conserved and multifaceted roles of extracellular SODs in redox regulation, signaling, vesicle trafficking, and cell migration offer insights relevant to both fundamental biology and disease.