Signal transduction by reactive oxygen species in non-phagocytic cells.

A growing body of evidence suggests a potential role for oxygen-derived radicals such as superoxide anions and hydrogen peroxide as intracellular signaling molecules. Recently, progress has been made regarding the regulation of oxidant production in non-phagocytic cells. Significant gaps in understanding persist, however, especially in regard to the source(s) of oxidant production and the direct intracellular target(s) of oxygen radicals. Nonetheless, numerous recent studies have implicated a dynamic change in the intracellular redox state as an important determinant in a host of cellular decisions ranging from growth, to apoptosis, to cellular senescence.