Oxidative Stress Response in Bacteria

Oxidative stress in bacteria refers to the cellular condition resulting from an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the ability of bacterial defense mechanisms to detoxify these harmful byproducts or repair the resulting damage. ROS include superoxide anion (O2-), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and hydroxyl radicals, which can damage DNA, proteins, lipids, and other cellular components. Bacteria have evolved several regulatory systems (OxyR, PerR, SoxRS) and enzymes (superoxide dismutases, catalases, peroxidases) for oxidative stress response. This response involves induction of scavenging enzymes, repair systems, and regulatory cascades. Oxidative stress can drive mutagenesis leading to antibiotic resistance.

N/A (system, not a single molecule)