Cellular components susceptible to oxidation

Cellular components susceptible to oxidation is a collective term for the various biological macromolecules—primarily lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids—that are prone to chemical modification by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) (Halliwell & Gutteridge, 2015). In a healthy physiological state, a balance exists between the production of these reactive species and their neutralization by endogenous antioxidant systems; however, an imbalance leads to oxidative stress, causing structural and functional damage to these components (NIH, 2023). For instance, lipid peroxidation can compromise membrane integrity, while protein oxidation can lead to enzyme inactivation or misfolding, and DNA oxidation can result in mutagenic lesions (PubMed, PMID: 28933313). This broad category of molecules is central to the pathophysiology of numerous conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disorders, and cancer. Therapeutic strategies often involve the use of antioxidants or ROS scavengers to protect these components from damage or to enhance the body's natural defense mechanisms (StatPearls, 2023). Because this term encompasses a wide range of distinct molecular species rather than a single protein or receptor, it is generally considered a pathological focus or a group of substrates rather than a specific therapeutic drug target.

Other names

Oxidative stress substratesCellular macromoleculesROS targetsOxidizable cellular components

Antioxidants and radical scavengers protect these components by neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS) before they can cause oxidative damage, or by repairing oxidative modifications such as disulfide bond formation and quenching lipid peroxy radicals (Halliwell & Gutteridge, 2015).