SOD2 Gene And Its Effect On Oxidative Stress
What is Oxidative Stress?
Oxidative stress is a physiological condition that results from the imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the antioxidant defense system of the body.
ROS are chemically reactive molecules that can damage cellular components such as proteins, lipids, and DNA.
If left unchecked, oxidative stress can lead to a variety of diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and cardiovascular disease.
What is the Role of the SOD2 Gene?
One of the key players in the antioxidant defense system is the superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) gene.
SOD2 is an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of superoxide radicals to hydrogen peroxide, which can then be neutralized by other enzymes such as catalase and glutathione peroxidase.
What is a superoxide and why does it need to be neutralized?
Superoxide is a type of oxygen. We all know that the molecular stable form of oxygen is O2. This is the predominant form that we use for respiration and other life functions. Superoxide is oxygen with an extra electron O2*-
This extra electron makes superoxide highly reactive and likely to react with vital elements like the DNA, cell membrane, and lipid layer and damage them.
The SOD2 antioxidant counteracts the effect of superoxide thereby neutralizing it.
SOD2 enzyme is primarily located in the mitochondria, the organelles responsible for producing energy in the cell.
Genetics of the SOD2 Gene
Studies have shown that SOD2 plays a critical role in protecting cells from oxidative stress. For example, research has shown that overexpression of SOD2 can reduce the levels of ROS and prevent oxidative damage to cellular components.
Conversely, mutations in the SOD2 gene that reduce its activity have been linked to increased susceptibility to oxidative stress and a variety of diseases.
A common genetic variant of the SOD2 gene that influences oxidative stress is detailed below.
Check your DNA raw data (23andMe, Ancestry DNA, Family Tree DNA, MyHeritage DNA, Living DNA) for:
| rs4880 Gene Variant | Health outcome |
|---|---|
| C;C | Normal enzyme activity |
| T;C | Normal enzyme activity |
| T;T | Decreased enzyme activity |
| Your genotype |
How the SOD2 Gene Influences Your Health
As we have learned in the previous section, SOD2 gene T;T mutation leads to decreased activity in the superoxide dismutase 2 enzyme. The decreased enzyme activity has been implicated in several health conditions.
Heart disease
Patients with hereditary hemochromatosis patients are at a 10 times higher risk for heart disease if they have the T;T genotype compared to similar patients with C;T or C;C genotypes. [ref]
Breast cancer treatment
Individuals with (C;T) who had breast cancer had lower survival rates when treated with cyclophosphamide [ref]
Effect on prostate cancer patients
Among patients with prostate cancer, for those who have the rs4880(T;T) genotype, a higher iron intake level was associated with a 2.3-fold increase in risk for aggressive forms of cancer. [ref]
Evolutionary significance of the SOD2 gene
SOD2 is found in virtually all organisms, from bacteria to humans. This suggests that the ability to neutralize superoxide and other ROS is critical for the survival of all living organisms. The conservation of this gene across species suggests that it is essential for the survival of all organisms.
Final Remarks
The SOD2 gene plays a critical role in protecting cells from oxidative stress. Mutations that reduce its activity have been linked to increased susceptibility to a variety of diseases associated with oxidative stress, including Parkinson’s disease, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Understanding the role of SOD2 in these diseases may lead to the development of new therapies to prevent or treat them.
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