Reactive oxygen species

TL;DR: This review provides a brief description of ROS diversity, interrelations and main biological functions.

Abstract: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a diverse group of small molecules with different reactivity, sources of production, and, ultimately, biological functions. Some of these molecules are important contributors to pathogenesis of major chronic diseases including cancer, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. Others play major roles in environmental, radiation and space biology. In normal state, specific ROS carry out homeostatic functions such as innate immunity and signaling. However, the word “ROS” is still often used in the literature as a generic term synonymous to oxidative stress. This review provides a brief description of ROS diversity, interrelations and main biological functions.