I n the past 10 years, an enormous amount of research has focused on the role of NAD(P)H oxidases in cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology
2004
Key concepts
Scholarcy highlights
- I n the past 10 years, an enormous amount of research has focused on the role of NAD(P)H oxidases in cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology
- NOX EXPRESSION IN THE CARDIOVASCULATURE The first Nox enzyme to be cloned and characterised was termed gp91phox, because it is the catalytic unit of the phagocytic respiratory burst oxidase, which is important for non-specific host defence against invading microbes
- This protein exists in a macromolecular complex with p22phox, another membrane subunit that stabilises gp91phox and interacts with the cytosolic regulatory factor p47phox. p47phox has two tandem SH3 groups that interact with auto-inhibitory domains to maintain the protein in an inactive state
- Depending on the particular proteins expressed in a given cell, oxidase activity is likely to be uniquely regulated, making it imperative to study these proteins in individual tissues
- Tremendous progress has been made in the few years since the discovery of the first gp91phox homologue, but a clearer picture of the function of the Nox enzymes awaits the development of homologue specific transgenic and knockout animals
- Given the intriguing results from in vitro experiments, it is likely that future animal experiments will validate a critical role for this novel enzyme family in normal cardiovascular function and disease
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