Abstract
Various components in the cell are responsible for maintaining physiological levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Several different enzymes exist that can convert or degrade ROS; among them are the superoxide dismutases (SODs). If left unchecked, ROS can cause damage that leads to pathology, can contribute to aging, and may, ultimately, cause death. SODs are responsible for converting superoxide anions to hydrogen peroxide by dismutation. Here we review the role of different SODs on the development and pathogenicity of various eukaryotic microorganisms relevant to human health. These include the fungal aging model, Podospora anserina; various members of the genus Aspergillus that can potentially cause aspergillosis; the agents of diseases such as Chagas and sleeping disease, Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma brucei, respectively; and, finally, pathogenic amoebae, such as Acanthamoeba spp. In these organisms, SODs fulfill essential and often regulatory functions that come into play during processes such as the development, host infection, propagation, and control of gene expression. We explore the contribution of SODs and their related factors in these microorganisms, which have an established role in health and disease.
Highlights
Superoxide dismutases (SOD) are antioxidant metalloenzymes that dismutate O2 − into molecular oxygen and hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ), eliminating superoxide radicals.They are key players in defending cells from reactive oxygen species (ROS) during an infection of pathogens [1]
We provide an overview of SODs from four different microbial eukaryotes: Podospora anserina, Aspergillus spp., Trypanosoma spp., and Acanthamoeba spp
Our objective is to present several examples of microorganisms important to human health, in which research on SODs has unveiled important insights into their developmental processes or on other fundamental biological processes
Summary
Superoxide dismutases (SOD) are antioxidant metalloenzymes that dismutate O2 − into molecular oxygen and hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ), eliminating superoxide radicals. They are key players in defending cells from reactive oxygen species (ROS) during an infection of pathogens [1]. SODs can be regarded as a crucial defense against pathogens that survive attacks by the immune system of the host during an infection They tend to be the ideal drug target for different therapies [3]. Antioxidants 2022, 11, 188 which research on SODs has unveiled important insights into their developmental pro ofan cesses or on other fundamental biological processes.
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