Dissecting the role of redox signaling in neuronal development

Abstract

The generation of abnormally high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is linked to cellular dysfunction, including neuronal toxicity and neurodegeneration. However, physiological ROS production modulates redox-sensitive roles of several molecules such as transcription factors, signaling proteins, and cytoskeletal components. Changes in the functions of redox-sensitive proteins may be important for defining key aspects of stem cell proliferation and differentiation, neuronal maturation, and neuronal plasticity. In neurons, most of the studies have been focused on the pathological implications of such modifications and only very recently their essential roles in neuronal development and plasticity has been recognized. In this review, we discuss the participation of NADPH oxidases (NOXs) and a family of protein-methionine sulfoxide oxidases, named molecule interacting with CasLs, as regulated enzymatic sources of ROS production in neurons, and describes the contribution of ROS signaling to neurogenesis and differentiation, neurite outgrowth, and neuronal plasticity.

Stress‐Induced Evolutionary Innovation: A Mechanism for the Origin of Cell Types

“…The study of all these phenomena constitutes the field of cellular stress biology, which has been separated from “normal” developmental biology and physiology for decades. Increasingly, however, the boundary between these fields is blurred because mechanisms and agents common to the field of stress biology, such as apoptosis or ROS, have been found to play a role in “normal” biological processes like cell differentiation . This overlap between stress biology and developmental biology is not coincidental.…”

“…Nevertheless, it is now well established that ROS play an important part in the normal differentiation of mammalian cells, a phenomenon called ROS signaling. ROS signaling has been shown to function in the maintenance and proliferation of neuronal progenitor cells . Similarly, differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in chondrocytes, osteocytes, and adipocytes is also regulated through the production of ROS .…”

“…Increasingly, however, the boundary between these fields is blurred because mechanisms and agents common to the field of stress biology, such as apoptosis or ROS, have been found to play a role in "normal" biological processes like cell differentiation. [4][5][6][7][8] This overlap between stress biology and developmental biology is not coincidental. We argue that it constitutes the footprint of evolutionary processes that convert stress reactions into normal developmental and physiological processes, and in due course can give rise to evolutionary novelties such as new cell types.…”

Neurological disorders associated with DNA strand-break processing enzymes

“…A consequence of accumulated DNA damage is its impact on transcription, which tends to be high in neuronal cells (Sarkander and Dulce, 1978). Inhibition of transcription may lead to apoptosis (Ljungman and Lane, 2004) or, potentially, altered neuronal development and plasticity (Borquez et al, 2016). …”

The role of modulation of antioxidant enzyme systems in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases

“…The production of oxidants following specific physiological cues serves as important signalling molecules in immune function, during redox signalling, in autophagy and cell division 9,30 . In neurodegeneration, the uncontrolled production of ROS/RNS impairs neuronal function and contributes to neuronal death 31 particularly in the brain, where ROS-mediated redox signalling is actively involved in neurogenesis, neuronal differentiation, plasticity and memory consolidation 32 . Under physiological conditions, ROS production and elimination is tightly regulated under ''redox homeostasis'' with the maintenance of low ROS concentration 33 .…”