Regulation of necroptosis signaling and cell death by reactive oxygen species

Necroptosis has recently been identified as an alternative form of programmed cell death that is characterized by defined molecular mechanisms. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in the regulation of numerous signaling pathways, as they are highly reactive and can cause (ir)reversible posttranslational modifications. While the role of ROS in other modes of cell death has been extensively studied, its impact on necroptotic signaling and cell death is far less clear. The current mini-review discusses the evidence for and against a role of ROS in necroptosis.