Reactive oxygen species-related enzymatic pathways (ROS pathways) (ROS pathways)

Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related enzymatic pathways comprise a diverse group of enzymes and biochemical reactions that regulate the production and detoxification of oxygen-derived radicals and non-radicals (Sies & Jones, 2020, Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology). These pathways include ROS-generating enzymes such as NADPH oxidases (NOX), xanthine oxidase, and the mitochondrial electron transport chain, as well as antioxidant defense systems like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidases (GPx) (Halliwell & Gutteridge, 2015, Free Radicals in Biology and Medicine). Under physiological conditions, these enzymes maintain redox homeostasis, which is essential for cellular signaling, immune response, and metabolic regulation (Di Meo et al., 2016, International Journal of Molecular Sciences). However, excessive ROS production or impaired antioxidant capacity leads to oxidative stress, a condition implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and cardiovascular disorders (Forman & Zhang, 2021, Nature Reviews Drug Discovery). Therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways involve the use of antioxidant mimetics, Nrf2 activators to induce endogenous enzymes, or specific inhibitors of ROS-producing enzymes like NOX (Lambeth, 2004, Nature Reviews Immunology). Despite their potential, targeting these pathways remains challenging due to the dual role of ROS as both damaging agents and vital signaling molecules (Sies & Jones, 2020, Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology).

Other names

Antioxidant enzyme systemsROS metabolic pathwaysRedox signaling pathwaysOxidative stress pathways

Drugs targeting these pathways act by directly neutralizing reactive species, inhibiting ROS-generating enzymes such as NADPH oxidase (NOX), or inducing the expression of endogenous antioxidant enzymes via the Nrf2-Keap1 pathway (Forman & Zhang, 2021, Nature Reviews Drug Discovery; Sies & Jones, 2020, Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology).