Journal article
Ras, superoxide and signal transduction
Biochemical pharmacology, Vol.55(9), pp.1339-1346
1998
DOI: 10.1016/S0006-2952(97)00616-3
PMID: 10076523
Abstract
The superoxide anion has been associated with the bactericidal activity of phagocytes. Produced by an enzymatic complex, NADPH oxidase, bactericidal superoxide is released within phagolysosomes where bacteria are being degraded. The activity of NADPH oxidase is regulated by Rac, a small GTP binding protein of the Ras family. Recent evidence indicates that, in addition to its bactericidal activity, superoxide seems to function as a signal-transduction messenger, mediating the downstream effects of Ras and Rac in nonphagocytic cells. As such, superoxide contributes to the unchecked proliferation of Ras-transformed cells. In the nitric oxide (NO) system, low concentrations of NO transduce signals within vessels and neurons, while high concentrations of NO can produce damage to cells and microorganisms. By analogy, superoxide and probably other oxidants serve as messengers at low concentrations, while larger amounts are required for inducing damage. The activity of oxidants as messengers opens new avenues for pharmacological intervention against Ras-mediated pathways in mammalian cells.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Ras, superoxide and signal transduction
- Creators
- K IRANI - Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, United StatesP. J GOLDSCHMIDT-CLERMONT - Heart and Lung Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Biochemical pharmacology, Vol.55(9), pp.1339-1346
- Publisher
- Elsevier Science; New York, NY
- DOI
- 10.1016/S0006-2952(97)00616-3
- PMID
- 10076523
- ISSN
- 0006-2952
- eISSN
- 1873-2968
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 1998
- Academic Unit
- Cardiovascular Medicine; Radiation Oncology; Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984046902702771
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