Hydrogen peroxide sensing and signaling

Abstract

H 2 O 2 has been found to act as a signaling molecule and secondary messenger in many signal transduction pathways like in insulin signaling, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. There are biological sensors which sense the presence of H 2 O 2 and trigger downstream signaling events which in turn activate complex disease pathways. A balance in the H 2 O 2 levels is achieved by its compartmentalization in different cellular compartments and level is maintained by the antioxidant enzymes like catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and thioredoxin peroxidase. In this chapter we describe the way H 2 O 2 is sensed in the biological system and further explain the downstream signaling events. We also explain the role of H 2 O 2 signaling during specific biological events and disease conditions.