Redox redux: the control of oxidative stress responses

• Published in: Cell Vol. 67; no. 5; pp. 837 - 839
• Main Authors: Demple, B, Amábile-Cuevas, C F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 29.11.1991
• Subjects: Bacterial Proteins - genetics; Bacterial Proteins - metabolism; DNA-Binding Proteins; Escherichia coli - genetics; Escherichia coli - physiology; Escherichia coli Proteins; Genes, Bacterial; Oxidation-Reduction; Repressor Proteins - metabolism; Superoxides - metabolism; Trans-Activators; Transcription Factors - genetics; Transcription Factors - metabolism; Transcription, Genetic
• ISSN: 0092-8674
• DOI: 10.1016/0092-8674(91)90355-3

Enteric bacteria maintain defense systems against many threats, including oxidative stress. Such stress results from abnormally high levels of reactive oxygen species such as superoxide (superoxide free radicals) and hydrogen peroxide (H sub(2)O sub(2)), which lead to DNA, protein, and membrane damage. Reactive oxygen arises from diverse sources that include normal aerobic metabolism, many environmental agents, and the oxidative burst of phagocytes. Low levels of H sub(2)O sub(2) elicit in E. coli) and other bacteria an adaptive response that counteracts the toxicity of much higher H sub(2)O sub(2) levels. This system also prevents spontaneous mutations caused by peroxides formed within aerobically growing bacteria.