title: Oxidative stress protection by polyphosphate--new roles for an old player.
abstract: Inorganic polyphosphate is a universally conserved biopolymer whose association with oxidative stress resistance has been documented in many species, but whose mode of action has been poorly understood. Here we review the recent discovery that polyphosphate functions as a protein-protective chaperone, examine the mechanisms by which polyphosphate-metal ion interactions reduce oxidative stress, and summarize polyphosphate's roles in regulating general stress response pathways. Given the simple chemical structure and ancient pedigree of polyphosphate, these diverse mechanisms are likely to be broadly relevant in many organisms, from bacteria to mammalian cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. Electronic address: mikegray@umich.edu.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. Electronic address: ujakob@umich.edu.
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Jakob
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D007477:Ions / Q000378:metabolism; D018832:Molecular Chaperones / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D011122:Polyphosphates / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D007477:Ions; D018832:Molecular Chaperones; D011122:Polyphosphates