Microbial reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis pathways (Microbial ROS homeostasis pathways)

Microbial reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis pathways are essential regulatory and enzymatic networks that maintain the balance between ROS production and detoxification in microorganisms [1.1.2, 1.2.1]. These pathways are critical for microbial survival during infection, as they protect pathogens from the host's oxidative burst generated by neutrophils and macrophages [1.2.1, 1.3.1]. The system comprises various antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and thioredoxin reductase, along with redox-sensitive transcription factors like OxyR and SoxRS that sense oxidative stress and activate defense genes [1.1.2, 1.3.1]. Dysregulation of these pathways leads to catastrophic oxidative damage to microbial proteins, lipids, and DNA, making them attractive targets for novel antimicrobial therapies [1.2.1, 1.2.4]. Drugs targeting these pathways, such as the thioredoxin reductase inhibitor auranofin or thiol-depleting agents like allicin, can sensitize bacteria to oxidative stress and enhance the efficacy of existing antibiotics [1.1.4, 1.2.1]. Furthermore, many bactericidal antibiotics have been shown to induce ROS as a secondary killing mechanism, highlighting the central role of ROS homeostasis in determining antibiotic susceptibility [1.1.2, 1.2.4].

Other names

Bacterial oxidative stress responseMicrobial antioxidant defense systemBacterial ROS homeostasisOxidative stress defense pathwaysMicrobial redox homeostasis pathways

Inhibition of antioxidant enzymes such as thioredoxin reductase, depletion of low-molecular-weight thiols, inhibition of redox-sensing transcription factors, and induction of endogenous ROS production via metabolic disruption.