General cellular components via ROS-mediated oxidation

General cellular components via ROS-mediated oxidation refers to the non-specific damage of vital biological macromolecules—including lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids—by reactive oxygen species (ROS) [1]. This process is a hallmark of oxidative stress, where an imbalance between ROS production and antioxidant defenses leads to cellular dysfunction and death [2]. In a therapeutic context, this mechanism is often exploited by pro-oxidant drugs, such as certain chemotherapeutics and photodynamic therapies, to induce apoptosis in malignant cells [3]. Conversely, many pathologies, including neurodegeneration and cardiovascular disease, are driven by chronic ROS-mediated damage, making the protection of these components a goal for antioxidant therapies [1]. Because this target encompasses nearly all structural and functional elements of a cell, drugs acting through this pathway often exhibit low specificity and significant side effects [4]. The lack of a single molecular site makes it a challenging focus for precision medicine, though it remains a potent tool in oncology and antimicrobial treatments [2]. Sources: [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3249911/, [2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23626505/, [3] https://www.nature.com/articles/nrd3050, [4] https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Hydrogen-peroxide.

Other names

Cellular macromoleculesOxidative stress targetsBiomolecules (DNA, lipids, proteins)Reactive oxygen species targets

Induction of oxidative stress through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which non-specifically oxidize lipids, proteins, and DNA, leading to structural damage and cell death.