title: Nox family NADPH oxidases in mechano-transduction: mechanisms and consequences.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of cells in a multi-cellular organism are continuously exposed to ever-changing physical forces. Mechano-transduction links these events to appropriate reactions of the cells involving stimulation of signaling cascades, reorganization of the cytoskeleton and alteration of gene expression.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Mechano-transduction alters the cellular redox balance and the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Nicotine amide adenine dinucleotide reduced form (NADPH) oxidases of the Nox family are prominent ROS generators and thus, contribute to this stress-induced ROS formation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Different types and patterns of mechano-stress lead to Nox-dependent ROS formation and Nox-mediated ROS formation contributes to cellular responses and adaptation to physical forces. Thereby, Nox enzymes can mediate vascular protection during physiological mechano-stress. Despite this, over-activation and induction of Nox enzymes and a subsequent substantial increase in ROS formation also promotes oxidative stress in pathological situations like disturbed blood flow or extensive stretch.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Individual protein targets of Nox-mediated redox-signaling will be identified to better understand the specificity of Nox-dependent ROS signaling in mechano-transduction. Nox-inhibitors will be tested to reduce cellular activation in response to mechano-stimuli.
authors.affiliation: 1 Institut für Kardiovaskuläre Physiologie, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt , Frankfurt am Main, Germany .
authors.forename: Ralf P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Brandes
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Weissmann
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schröder
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D019255:NADPH Oxidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D019255:NADPH Oxidases