Redox signaling achieved by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a key aspect of signal transduction in various cellular processes such as cell death, differentiation and inflammation.
However, the line separating redox signaling from oxidative stress is a thin one and redox homeostasis is reliant on the action of redox active systems. These systems are complex arrays of enzymes controlling ROS levels but also the oxidation-reduction cycle of critical protein residues (e.g. cysteines) that enable signal transduction.
Disruption of redox signaling has been implicated in the etiology of several pathologies including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, redox enzymes have very reactive residues (cysteines and selenocysteines) and are, therefore, candidate targets for inhibition by electrophilic compounds, creating opportunities for therapeutic strategies. This Advanced Course will approach these aspects in detail which are of widespread interest for many PhD candidates in Pharmacy.