[Do active forms of oxygen interacting with DNA play a regulatory role in the cell?].
Paper analyses data on, and reviews mechanisms of, interactions between active oxygen radicals (AOR) and cellular DNA. Some workers suggest that AOR might have positive regulatory role in the cell influencing DNA because synthesis of some cellular proteins is being activated in the presence of AOR. The paper offers explanations to such effects through non-specific damage of proteins-repressors or the latter's active centers at DNA by AOR, suggesting that this is not a regulatory role. Author also assesses the existing cellular antioxidant systems and produces evidences that damaging AOR like hydroxyl, peroxide and superoxide-anions can not be treated as positive regulators of genome functioning. However, certain regulatory functions in the cell can be realized by "heavy" free radicals which appear in the cell as a result of AOR-induced oxidation processes. The paper suggests that this is due to complex macromolecular interactions between DNA and "heavy" free radicals rather than because of the latter" s AOR properties, nature and origin.
Kaluev
A V
AV
Center for Physiology and Biochemical Research, Kyiv, Ukraine. kalueff@britania kiev.ua
D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000737:chemistry
D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D004247:DNA