Gene Expression Signature and Molecular Mechanism of Redox Homeostasis in Colorectal Cancer

Cellular redox homeostasis is the important tool for normal cell function and survival. Oxidants, reductants and antioxidants are the players to maintain cellular homeostasis balance. However, in some conditions like cancer, the concentration and activation of these players are disturbed. This study walks you through the molecular mechanism of redox homeostasis to describe how expression level of these players would help colorectal cancer (CRC) cells continue proliferation and survive in the hypoxic environment of tumor. We proposed that O2- concentration is not detrimentally high in CRC cells since expression level of MnSOD didnt change noticeably. We also suggested that High proliferative CRC cells obtain their energy by oxidation of H2S in or Electron transport chain (ETC) and keep the adequate concentration of H2S by diminishing the expression level of enzymes involved in sulfide oxidation pathway. Reduction in hydrogen sulfide oxidation results in a decrease in the level of GSH. Glutathione peroxidase enzyme requires GSH to convert H2O2 into oxygen and water. Therefore, Level of hydrogen peroxide stays high which leads to an increase in cell proliferation. Furthermore, we analyzed the expression level of transcription factors sensitive to redox messengers.