Reactive oxygen species signaling pathway

The reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling pathway refers to a network of processes where ROS, particularly superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide, serve as signaling molecules that regulate diverse physiological and pathological functions. ROS are generated as byproducts of mitochondrial electron transport and by various enzymes, especially NADPH oxidases, under both normal and stress conditions. At physiological levels, ROS act as second messengers to modulate the activity of transcription factors (e.g., NRF2, NF-κB, p53, FoxO), regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and immune responses, as well as cellular survival and death. Dysregulation of ROS signaling can result in oxidative stress, contributing to a wide range of diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular conditions, and chronic inflammation. Therapeutic interventions target components of ROS signaling (such as enhancing antioxidant capacity or inducing ROS-mediated cell death) but targeting the pathway itself is challenging due to the requirement for precise redox balance for normal cellular function

Other names

ROS pathwayReactive oxygen species signalingOxidative signaling pathwayROS signaling

Antioxidants: Scavenge ROS, reducing signaling and oxidative stress; Pro-oxidants: Increase ROS, enhance cell death in cancer cells; NRF2 activators: Upregulate antioxidant gene expression, restoring redox homeostasis