Cellular response to chemical stress

Expression of heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1) is regulated by various indicators of cell stress. Cytoprotection by HMOX1 is exerted directly by HMOX1 and by the antioxidant metabolites it produces through the degradation of heme.

Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) are important mediators of chemical stress, as they are produced endogenously in mitochondria, and also result from redox activities of many toxins and heavy metal cations. The points of RONS action in the cell are plasma and ER membrane lipids, as well as DNA, both acting as sensors for the cellular response. On the other hand, chemotherapeutic agents exert their action via generation of RONS and induction of cancer cell apoptosis, while drug resistance associates with RONS-induced cancer cell survival.