The bridge between cell survival and cell death

reactive oxygen species-mediated cellular stress

Authors

  • Neşe Vardar Acar Department of Pediatric Metabolism, Institute of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7539-875X
  • Riza Köksal Özgül Department of Pediatric Metabolism, Institute of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey. Tel.: 0312-3053209-3052642. E-mail: rkozgul@hacettepe.edu.tr https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0283-635X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2023-6221

Keywords:

Redox homeostasis, antioxidant defense systems, Nrf2, oxidative and reductive stress,, cell death pathways, mitohormesis

Abstract

As a requirement of aerobic metabolism, regulation of redox homeostasis is indispensable for the continuity of living homeostasis and life. Since the stability of the redox state is necessary for the maintenance of the biological functions of the cells, the balance between the pro-oxidants, especially ROS and the antioxidant capacity is kept in balance in the cells through antioxidant defense systems. The pleiotropic transcription factor, Nrf2, is the master regulator of the antioxidant defense system. Disruption of redox homeostasis leads to oxidative and reductive stress, bringing about multiple pathophysiological conditions. Oxidative stress characterized by high ROS levels causes oxidative damage to biomolecules and cell death, while reductive stress characterized by low ROS levels disrupt physiological cell functions. The fact that ROS, which were initially attributed as harmful products of aerobic metabolism, at the same time function as signal molecules at non-toxic levels and play a role in the adaptive response called mithormesis points out that ROS have a dose-dependent effect on cell fate determination.

Published

2023-06-21

How to Cite

Vardar Acar, N., & Özgül, R. K. (2023). The bridge between cell survival and cell death: reactive oxygen species-mediated cellular stress. EXCLI Journal, 22, 520–555. https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2023-6221

Issue

Section

Review articles

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