Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a key role in cell physiology and function. ROS represents a potential source of damage for many macromolecules including DNA. It is thought that daily changes in oxidative stress levels were an important early factor driving evolution of the circadian clock which enables organisms to predict changes in ROS levels before they actually occur and thereby optimally coordinate survival strategies. It is clear that ROS, at relatively low levels, can serve as an important signaling molecule and also serves as a key regulator of gene expression. Therefore, the mechanisms that have evolved to survive or harness these effects of ROS are ancient evolutionary adaptations that are tightly interconnected with most aspects of cellular physiology. Our understanding of these mechanisms has been mainly based on studies using a relatively small group of genetic models. However, we know comparatively little about how these mechanisms are conserved or have adapted during evolution under different environmental conditions. In this review, we describe recent work that has revealed significant species-specific differences in the gene expression response to ROS by exploring diverse organisms. This evidence supports the notion that during evolution, rather than being highly conserved, there is inherent plasticity in the molecular mechanisms responding to oxidative stress.
Highlights
Since the origin of life on earth, oxidative stress has posed a major challenge for living systems
Given the diversity of antioxidative stress pathways in other species, are these pathways conserved in all vertebrates or may there be species-specific differences in their function depending on the ecological niche occupied? we will explore recent progress made in studying the oxidative stress response in fish
Insight into how the light-Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-D-box signaling pathway has adapted during evolution under extreme environmental conditions has been gained from a set of comparative studies focusing on a species of blind cavefish (Phreatichthys andruzzii)
Summary
Since the origin of life on earth, oxidative stress has posed a major challenge for living systems. Plants and animals frequently excrete hydrogen peroxide or superoxide-generating redox-cycling compounds as a strategy to inhibit microbial growth [15,16] and so bacteria frequently inhabit oxidizing environments They protect themselves by activating regulons controlled by the OxyR, PerR and, SoxR transcription factors [16,17,18]. The pathogen-induced ROS levels activate the JAK-STAT (Janus kinase–signal transducers and activators of transcription) and JNK (c-Jun NH2 terminal kinase) pathways to induce stem cell proliferation counteracting the cellular damage generated by the burst of ROS [31] Another mechanism underlying oxidative stress tolerance in Drosophila that influences life-span and xenobiotic response is the conserved Keap (Kelch-like ECH-associated protein (1)/Nrf (NF-E2-related factor (2) signaling pathway [32]. This pathway regulates the expression of antioxidant and detoxification genes [32,33] and has been shown to play a critical role in ROS detoxification in mammalian systems
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
