Reactive oxygen species and radical-generating enzymes (ROS/RGE)

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and radical-generating enzymes represent a diverse group of molecules and proteins that regulate the cellular redox environment. ROS, such as superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals, are generated as metabolic byproducts or through the activity of specialized enzymes like NADPH oxidases (NOX), xanthine oxidase, and myeloperoxidase (Sies & Jones, 2020). Under normal physiological conditions, these species act as secondary messengers in signaling pathways that control cell growth, immune activation, and vascular tone (Lambeth, 2004). However, the excessive accumulation of ROS, often termed oxidative stress, leads to the non-specific oxidation of DNA, proteins, and lipids, contributing to the pathogenesis of chronic diseases such as atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and various cancers (Phaniendra et al., 2015). Pharmacological strategies targeting this system include the use of small-molecule inhibitors to block specific ROS-producing enzymes or the administration of antioxidant compounds to scavenge reactive intermediates. While promising, these therapies must be carefully calibrated to avoid disrupting the essential roles ROS play in pathogen defense and homeostatic signaling (Di Meo et al., 2016).

Other names

ROSPro-oxidant enzymesOxidative stress mediatorsReactive oxygen species-generating enzymesRadical-generating enzymes

Inhibition of enzymatic ROS production, direct scavenging of reactive oxygen species, and induction of endogenous antioxidant defense systems.