Signal transduction-free radical modulation

Abstract

Signal transduction is the process of signal transmission from cell surface to cell interior. This ubiquitous mechanism enables functioning of general but also specific cell-tissue processes, involved in maintaining of cell homeostasis. Normal transduction processes disturbance represents the most frequent molecular basis in pathogenesis and complications of many diseases. Understanding of all sequences involved in signalling pathway cascades offers a possibility of different modulators application in therapeutic purposes. The activation of phagocyte NADPH oxidase is one of the best studied pathways of signal transduction. Meanwhile, reactive oxygen species generated in the process could modulate numerous cell transduction pathways. Diabetes mellitus may be associated with increase in oxidative stress, which may contribute to a long-term tissue damage. In addition to damage, oxidative stress can initiate cell signalling cascades that modulate cell function and finally could lead to the cell death. Hyperglicemia-induced activation of PKC-MAP kinase pathway has been now recognised as the key biochemical event in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications and insulin resistance.