Getting the Message? Native Reactive Electrophiles Pass Two Out of Three Thresholds to be Bona Fide Signaling Mediators

Precision cell signaling activities of reactive electrophilic species (RES) are arguably among the most poorly‐understood means to transmit biological messages. Latest research implicates native RES to be a chemically‐distinct subset of endogenous redox signals that influence cell decision making th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BioEssays 2018-05, Vol.40 (5), p.e1700240-n/a
Main Authors: Poganik, Jesse R., Long, Marcus J. C., Aye, Yimon
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
cell signaling and response
Decision making
Electrochemistry - methods
electrophile signaling
Humans
Information transfer
Oxidation-Reduction
Proteins
Proteins - metabolism
reactive electrophilic species
reactive oxygen species
Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism
redox signaling
Second messengers
Signal Transduction - genetics
Signal Transduction - physiology
Signaling
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Summary:Precision cell signaling activities of reactive electrophilic species (RES) are arguably among the most poorly‐understood means to transmit biological messages. Latest research implicates native RES to be a chemically‐distinct subset of endogenous redox signals that influence cell decision making through non‐enzyme‐assisted modifications of specific proteins. Yet, fundamental questions remain regarding the role of RES as bona fide second messengers. Here, we lay out three sets of criteria we feel need to be met for RES to be considered as true cellular signals that directly mediate information transfer by modifying “first‐responding” sensor proteins. We critically assess the available evidence and define the extent to which each criterion has been fulfilled. Finally, we offer some ideas on the future trajectories of the electrophile signaling field taking inspiration from work that has been done to understand canonical signaling mediators. Also see the video here: https://youtu.be/rG7o0clVP0c A role for native reactive electrophilic species (RES) as true cellular messengers has yet to be unequivocally established. We define three thresholds RES must pass to be considered true signals. We describe how the first two thresholds have been traversed, and offer ideas on how the third can be crossed.
ISSN:0265-9247
1521-1878
DOI:10.1002/bies.201700240