Molecular Mechanisms of Photo-Oxidative Damage in Cells : The role of photo-generated singlet oxygen and reactive hydroperoxides

Living organisms are continually exposed to oxidants. During oxidative stress, reactions of oxidants with biological macromolecules can result in both direct damage and the formation of long-lived, reactive, hydroperoxides. The series of studies undertaken in this work focused on the early cellular events following generation of reactive singlet oxygen (1O2) and identified that long-lived protein hydroperoxides, a major product of protein oxidation, can play a significant role in cellular damage by selectively targeting both low-molecular mass and protein thiols. These findings are invaluable in providing an insight of the early molecular events of oxidative stress and a cornerstone for future research in developing a better strategy to prevent oxidative damage.