Mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species and its role in physiological regulations

The production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and the resulting oxidative stress is an important phenomenon driving long-lasting research and intense discussions. Knowledge of exact mechanisms of reactive oxygen species production and pathways leading to their formation could help us to directly affect their production, a task with potential terapeutic implications. The molecular nature of the production of reactive oxygen species by some enzymes has already been well documented, but others still remain controversial and current theories are obviously far from the truth. Much more interesting is the question of physiological importace of this production. The reactive oxygen species were considered harmful factors clearly distorting the integrity of the organism for a long time. However, recent research suggest that their existence can also be beneficial and effective. Evidently they can serve as a signaling molecules in several metabolic and regulatory pathways occurring in the organism. This bachelor thesis offers insight into the current state of knowledge. It focuses on the most detailed description of the reactive oxygen species production by mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes. Furthermore, it deals with some signaling cascades, where involvement of mitochondrially generated..