Bacterial intracellular redox and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generating pathways (Bacterial ROS pathways)

Bacterial intracellular redox and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generating pathways encompass the metabolic processes responsible for the production and regulation of reactive oxygen species, such as superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals [1.1.3, 1.2.1]. These pathways are primarily linked to aerobic respiration, where electron leakage from the electron transport chain (ETC) to oxygen occurs, particularly at sites like NADH dehydrogenase [1.3.1]. In the context of infectious diseases, these pathways are critical because many bactericidal antibiotics, including aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, and beta-lactams, are thought to induce a common lethal mechanism involving the hyperproduction of ROS [1.2.1, 1.2.4]. This surge in ROS leads to catastrophic oxidative damage to bacterial DNA, proteins, and lipids, ultimately resulting in cell death [1.3.1]. Additionally, specific pro-oxidant drugs and inhibitors of bacterial antioxidant defenses, such as thioredoxin reductase, are being developed to exploit these pathways for antimicrobial therapy [1.3.1, 1.3.2]. However, the non-specific nature of ROS poses significant challenges, including potential toxicity to host tissues and the risk of inducing mutations that could lead to antibiotic resistance [1.3.1]. Understanding these pathways is essential for developing next-generation antimicrobials that can bypass traditional resistance mechanisms [1.3.4].

Other names

Bacterial oxidative stress pathwaysEndogenous ROS production in bacteriaBacterial redox metabolismBacterial ROS-generating network

Induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through disruption of the electron transport chain or metabolic imbalances, leading to oxidative damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids [1.2.1, 1.3.1].