Unveiling the vital role of OGG1 in inflammation, vascular endothelial damage, and cell death in obstetric and gynecological diseases

Abstract

The DNA repair enzyme 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase-1 (OGG1) plays a crucial role in the initiation of DNA base excision repair pathway by recognizing and excising the oxidative base lesions including 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG). Beyond its canonical function in DNA repair, OGG1 has been implicated in regulating inflammation-related genes, growth factor expression, and various cell death pathways, including apoptosis, parthanatos, and autophagy. These mechanisms are often involved in obstetric and gynecological disorders, which are frequently characterized by inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and dysregulated cell death. As such, OGG1 emerges as a potential therapeutic target for these conditions. However, comprehensive reviews detailing OGG1’s mechanistic roles in reproductive diseases remain scarce. This review aims to synthesize current knowledge primarily on non-canonical functions of OGG1, with a focus on its potential involvement in disorders such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, uterine fibroids, and malignancies, and to highlight its promise as a therapeutic target.