Oxidative Stress and Membrane Transport Systems
1University of Messina, Messina, Italy
2Paracelsus Medizinische Privatuniversität, Salzburg, Austria
3University of Bari, Bari, Italy
4University of Siena, Siena, Italy
Oxidative Stress and Membrane Transport Systems
Description
Membrane transport systems for ions, water, and organic molecules are essential to the homeostasis of cells and the whole organism, determining the composition of the cellular environment, maintenance of intracellular pH, cell volume, shape, proliferation, and survival. They also govern the resting membrane potential, nerve impulse triggering, and muscle excitability. As the plasma membrane represents the cell interface with the extracellular environment, vehicle for plenty of oxidant agents, membrane transport systems, such as aquaporins, ion channels, and exchangers, carriers and cotransporters, to name just a few, may represent the target of oxidative stress. Conversely, modulation in the activity of membrane transport systems may represent the cellular response to oxidative stress. In particular, the link between oxidative stress and membrane transport systems during aging and in oxidative stress-related diseases is still unclear, thus providing an imperative for a deeper understanding of mechanisms through which such processes and diseases develop. In addition, a novel and fascinating frontier of this subject is given by oxidants, such as hydrogen peroxide or reactive aldehydes (4HNE), as signaling molecules, modulating not only their own intracellular levels but also cell defense against oxidative stress or mitochondrial redox balance, which provides the quality control mechanism against oxidative stress.
The aim of this special issue is to collect and contribute to the diffusion of high quality research articles, as well as review articles, focusing on the relationship between membrane transport systems and oxidative stress at level of cell (both excitable and not excitable) and/or animal models for aging, neurodegenerative diseases, ischemic events, and diabetes. Moreover, transduction pathways underlying membrane transport systems and their possible modulation under oxidative stress will be considered, in an attempt to provide more information about cell response (including cell adaptation) to oxidative stress and its possible modulation by novel pharmacological strategies. Clinical studies are also welcome.
Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:
- Membrane transport systems for ions, water, and organic molecules as targets of oxidative stress
- Membrane transport, oxidative stress, and aging
- Membrane transport, oxidative stress, and oxidative stress-related pathologies
- Membrane transport, oxidative stress, and cell volume regulation
- Membrane transport, oxidative stress, and apoptosis
- Membrane transport, oxidative stress, and related signaling
- Membrane transport, oxidative stress, and cell adaptation
- Membrane transport systems as targets for therapeutic strategies in oxidative stress- related diseases
- Beneficial effects of natural antioxidants on membrane transport systems in aging and disease