Protein and nucleic acid oxidation

Protein and nucleic acid oxidation refers to the chemical modification of proteins and nucleic acids (DNA, RNA) by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and related oxidants generated during normal metabolism or under conditions of oxidative stress. Proteins are major targets due to their abundance and reactivity, leading to a wide range of posttranslational modifications including carbonylation, disulfide bond formation, and side-chain oxidation (notably of cysteine and methionine residues)[1][3]. These modifications can alter protein structure, function, turnover, and interactions, sometimes serving as regulatory signals (redox signaling) but often leading to loss of function, aggregation, or degradation[1][2][3]. Nucleic acid oxidation—especially of DNA and RNA—results in base modifications (e.g., 8-oxo-dG in DNA), strand breaks, and cross-linking, which can cause mutations, impair replication and transcription, and contribute to aging and disease[4][5]. Both protein and nucleic acid oxidation products are considered biomarkers of oxidative stress and are implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and cardiovascular disease[3][5]. However, "protein and nucleic acid oxidation" is not a single molecular entity or classical therapeutic target (like a receptor or enzyme), but rather a broad biological phenomenon involving many molecular species and pathways. Thus, it is not directly "druggable" in the conventional sense, and therapeutic strategies typically focus on augmenting antioxidant defenses or repairing oxidative damage rather than targeting a specific molecule[3]. The term refers to a collection of processes and their products, not a definable target in the way that is typical for drug discovery.

Other names

Oxidative damage to proteins and nucleic acidsprotein oxidative modificationnucleic acid oxidative damageoxidative stress-induced protein and nucleic acid modification