Hydrogen peroxide mediates the cell growth and transformation caused by the mitogenic oxidase Nox1

Abstract

Nox1, a homologue of gp91phox, the catalytic moiety of the superoxide (O \begin{equation*}{\mathrm{_{2}^{-}}}\end{equation*})-generating NADPH oxidase of phagocytes, causes increased O \begin{equation*}{\mathrm{_{2}^{-}}}\end{equation*} generation, increased mitotic rate, cell transformation, and tumorigenicity when expressed in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. This study explores the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in regulating cell growth and transformation by Nox1. H₂O₂ concentration increased ≈10-fold in Nox1-expressing cells, compared with 2O₂ concentration decreased, and the cells reverted to a normal appearance, the growth rate normalized, and cells no longer produced tumors in athymic mice. A large number of genes, including many related to cell cycle, growth, and cancer (but unrelated to oxidative stress), were expressed in Nox1-expressing cells, and more than 60% of these returned to normal levels on coexpression of catalase. Thus, H₂O₂ in low concentrations functions as an intracellular signal that triggers a genetic program related to cell growth.