Cell Responses to Oxidative Stressors

The cell response to multiple oxidative stresses involves mitochondria, since these organelles represent the major source of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) that drive the occurrence of pathological conditions and ageing by activating specific signalling pathways. Nevertheless, under physiological conditions the cells are able to exert an antioxidant response which, controlling ROS/Reactive Nitrogen Species (RNS) homeostasis, is involved in mediating cell differentiation, proliferation and migration. Thus, this review focuses the attention to the role played by mitochondria in the physiological and non-physiological signalling responses of eukaryotic cells to some oxidative stresses, in order to identify potential therapeutic targets to counteract oxidative stress effects and mitochondrial-related pathologies.