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Oxygen and the control of gene expression
Author(s) -
Pahl Heike L.,
Baeuerle Patrick A.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
bioessays
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.175
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1521-1878
pISSN - 0265-9247
DOI - 10.1002/bies.950160709
Subject(s) - intracellular , transcription (linguistics) , reactive oxygen species , gene expression , microbiology and biotechnology , transcription factor , gene , nucleic acid , oxygen , oxidative stress , second messenger system , biology , biochemistry , regulation of gene expression , chemistry , linguistics , philosophy , organic chemistry
The respiration of oxygen, while essential to aerobic organisms for the generation of energy, leads to the formation of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs) as harmful byproducts. ROIs damage nucleic acids, lipids and proteins. Therefore, protective mechanisms against elevated intracellular ROI levels, referred to as oxidative stress, have evolved. These include the activation of transcription factors which elevate the expression of protective enzymes. Eukaryotic cells have also evolved the ability to specifically generate ROIs are used as second messengers to activate gene expression. Here we will discuss both prokaryotic and eukaryotic transcription factors that respond to ROIs. In addition, transcription factors will be described that are activated by either exposure to antioxidants, which reduce the intracellular ROI concentration, or by hypoxia, the absence of oxygen.