The human Nox4: gene, structure, physiological function and pathological significance. (26th November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guo, Shuhui; Chen, Xiuping
• Is Part Of: Journal of drug targeting. Volume 23:Number 10(2015)
• Page Start: 888
• Page End: 896
• Publication Date: 2015-11-26
• Subjects: Cancer -- cardiovascular diseases -- hydrogen peroxides -- Nox4 -- ROS; Drug delivery systems -- Periodicals; Drug Delivery Systems; Vehicles; Drug Administration Routes; Drug Evaluation; 615.7
• DOI: 10.3109/1061186X.2015.1036276
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1061-186X

Abstract

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 (H2 O2 ) as the main product. As a key oxygen sensor, Nox4-derived H2 O2 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.