Role of reactive oxygen species in regulating epigenetic modifications

Abstract

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) originate from diverse sources and regulate multiple signaling pathways within the cellular environment. Their generation is intricately controlled, and disruptions in their signaling or atypical levels can precipitate pathological conditions. Epigenetics, the examination of heritable alterations in gene expression independent of changes in the genetic code, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases through aberrant epigenetic modifications. The significant contribution of epigenetic modifications to disease progression underscores their potential as crucial therapeutic targets for a wide array of medical conditions. This study begins by providing an overview of ROS and epigenetics, followed by a discussion on the mechanisms of epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and RNA modification-mediated regulation. Subsequently, a detailed examination of the interaction between ROS and epigenetic modifications is presented, offering new perspectives and avenues for exploring the mechanisms underlying specific epigenetic diseases and the development of novel therapeutics.