Chemical Modifications of Biomolecules by Oxidants

Abstract

There is strong evidence in support of the oxidation of biomolecules during normal physiology and under conditions of environmental or pathological stress. Normally, the regulation of reduction/oxidation is vital for maintenance of cellular homeostasis. However, in conditions of excess free radicals, most intracellular substrates can be damaged, frequently leading to dysfunction and possibly disease. Whilst oxidants such as the hypohalous acids and reactive nitrogen species can cause a specific fingerprint of biomolecular damage, other commonly derived oxidants such as singlet oxygen, hydrogen peroxide and peroxy radicals cause generic types of damage. Herein, the chemistry of oxidation of DNA, lipids and proteins is considered in the context of our current knowledge on radical-specific oxidation, Furthermore, the formation of secondary oxidation products, arising from radical transfer between molecules and interaction between newly generated carbonyl groups and constituent amines, is examined.