Antioxidation is a Common Defense Strategy for Different Species Under Mechanical Stress

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Mechanical stress is a physical stimulus that induces oxidative stress via mechanotransduction.
• Antioxidant defense systems have evolved across diverse organisms to counteract this damage.
• Understanding the molecular evolutionary principles of these defenses is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To decipher the molecular evolutionary principles of antioxidant strategies against mechanical stress-induced oxidative damage.
• To compare conserved and lineage-specific adaptations across biological kingdoms.
• To explore the translational potential of these findings.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of antioxidant strategies across different biological kingdoms (animals, plants, microorganisms).
• Examination of conserved mechanosensors (e.g., Piezo channels) and signaling pathways (e.g., Ca2+).
• Review of key regulatory axes (e.g., Nrf2 in animals) and antioxidant molecules (e.g., SOD, CAT, DMSP).

Main Results:

• Redox regulation is a conserved core defense against mechanical stress-induced oxidative damage.
• Mechanosensors like Piezo channels initiate antioxidant responses via Ca2+ signaling in animals and plants.
• Animals utilize the Nrf2 axis, plants employ SOD/CAT networks, and microorganisms use molecules like DMSP for defense.

Conclusions:

• Antioxidant adaptations to mechanical stress are shaped by evolutionary pressures and physiological constraints.
• Conserved mechanisms and lineage-specific variations highlight the diverse evolutionary trajectories of life.
• Insights offer potential applications in crop improvement, biomaterials, and therapeutics for oxidative disorders.