title: The human Nox4: gene, structure, physiological function and pathological significance.
abstract: Increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. NADPH oxidase (Nox), a multicomponent enzyme, has been identified as one of the key sources of ROS. Nox4, one of the seven members of Nox family (Nox1, Nox2, Nox3, Nox4, Nox5, Duox1 and Duox2), has been extensively investigated in recent years. Its unique structures result in the constitutive generation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as the main product. As a key oxygen sensor, Nox4-derived H2O2 plays diverse roles in cell proliferation, migration and death. Increased expression of Nox4 in cancer has been observed, which participates in metastasis, angiogenesis and apoptosis. Expression of Nox4 in endothelial cells actively mediated endothelial activation, dysfunction and injury, which contributes to the development of atherosclerosis, hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy and among others. This article explores the experimental studies related to the gene, structure, physiological function and pathological significance of Nox4. As Nox4 might serve as a potential target for the therapy of cardiovascular diseases and cancer, the Nox4 inhibitor is also discussed in this article.
authors.affiliation: a State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau , Macao , China.
authors.forename: Shuhui
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: a State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau , Macao , China.
authors.forename: Xiuping
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D000074663:NADPH Oxidase 4; D019255:NADPH Oxidases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D000074663:NADPH Oxidase 4; D019255:NADPH Oxidases; C498910:NOX4 protein, human
keywords: Cancer; Nox4; ROS; cardiovascular diseases; hydrogen peroxides