Redox Metabolism in Ecophysiology and Evolution, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Antioxidants (ISSN 2076-3921).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2025) | Viewed by 7515

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília 70910-900, Brazil
Interests: animal ecophysiology; antioxidant; biochemical adaptation; comparative physiology; estivation; free radical; glutathione; hibernation; preparation for oxidative stress; reactive oxygen species; redox biology
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Guest Editor
Research Center in Morphology and Applied Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil
Interests: animal ecophysiology; antioxidant; biochemical adaptation; comparative physiology; diapause; estivation; free radical; glutathione; oxidative stress; reactive oxygen species; redox biology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: antioxidant system; amphibians; carry-over effects; ecotoxicology; ectotherms; global climate change; hormesis; hybridization; oxidative damage; oxidative status; stress response
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The evolution of complex endogenous antioxidant systems in aerobic organisms was driven by the gradual accumulation of oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere. This intricate system developed to effectively cope with oxygen and its reactive byproducts. Beyond a simple battle between reactive species and defensive enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, the redox metabolism and aerobic life are inseparable. Redox signaling is mediated by non-radical redox metabolites, redox-sensitive transcription factors, and redox-sensitive proteins, forming an interconnected network of signaling pathways. These pathways have been discovered to play crucial roles in various essential processes in aerobic organisms, ranging from circadian rhythms to aging and lifespan regulation. Indeed, oxidative stress significantly influences the life history of living organisms, and environmental stressors have the potential to disrupt the delicate balance of redox reactions, thereby triggering compensatory adaptive responses.

The modulation of the redox metabolism has been extensively documented in diverse species across the phylogenetic spectrum, as they face a wide array of environmental stressors, including temperature fluctuations, water scarcity, variations in oxygen levels, exposure to UV radiation, and pollution, among others. In natural settings, these environmental factors often exhibit variable time frames, such as daily and seasonal fluctuations. Therefore, comprehending how antioxidant systems adaptively respond to environmental perturbations is crucial for understanding the role of oxidative stress in the ecology and adaptability of specific taxonomic groups.

We are delighted to invite you to submit your research to this exciting Special Issue, which aims to explore the ecological and evolutionary implications of oxidative stress and its interaction with the environment. This Special Issue serves as a continuation of the successful first volume, which you can find using the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/antioxidants/special_issues/redox_ecophysiology_evolution.

Dr. Marcelo Hermes-Lima
Dr. Daniel Carneiro Moreira
Dr. Marko Prokic
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • oxidative stress ecology
  • reactive oxygen and nitrogen species
  • hormesis
  • redox biology
  • environmental stress

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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16 pages, 8071 KiB  
Article
Photophysiological and Oxidative Responses of the Symbiotic Estuarine Anemone Anthopleura hermaphroditica to the Impact of UV Radiation and Salinity: Field and Laboratory Approaches
by Edgardo Cruces, Víctor M. Cubillos, Eduardo Ramírez-Kushel, Jaime A. Montory, Daniela A. Mardones, Oscar R. Chaparro, Francisco J. Paredes, Ignacio Echeverría-Pérez, Luis P. Salas-Yanquin and Joseline A. Büchner-Miranda
Antioxidants 2024, 13(10), 1239; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13101239 - 15 Oct 2024
Viewed by 901
Abstract
The estuarine anemone Anthopleura hermaphroditica and its symbiont Philozoon anthopleurum are continuously exposed to intense fluctuations in solar radiation and salinity owing to tidal changes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the tidal cycle, solar radiation, and salinity [...] Read more.
The estuarine anemone Anthopleura hermaphroditica and its symbiont Philozoon anthopleurum are continuously exposed to intense fluctuations in solar radiation and salinity owing to tidal changes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the tidal cycle, solar radiation, and salinity fluctuations on the photosynthetic and cellular responses (lipid peroxidation, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity) of the symbiont complex over a 24 h period in the Quempillén River Estuary. Additionally, laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the specific photobiological responses to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), ultraviolet radiation (UVR), and salinity. Our field results showed that the photosynthetic parameters of the symbiont complex decreased with increasing ambient radiation; however, no relationship was observed with changes in salinity. Increased peroxidative damage, total phenolic compound levels, and antioxidant activity were mainly related to increased UVR and, to a lesser extent, PAR. During the dark period, only PAR-exposed organisms returned to the basal levels of photosynthesis and cell damage. Laboratory exposure confirmed the deleterious effects of UVR on the photosynthetic response. The present study suggests that the ability of A. hermaphroditica to acclimate to natural radiation stress is mediated by the concerted action of various physiological mechanisms that occur at different times of the day, under varying levels of environmental stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Redox Metabolism in Ecophysiology and Evolution, 2nd Edition)
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16 pages, 1321 KiB  
Article
Dynamics of Redox Metabolism during Complete Metamorphosis of Insects: Insights from the Sunflower Caterpillar Chlosyne lacinia (Lepidoptera)
by Daniel C. Moreira and Marcelo Hermes-Lima
Antioxidants 2024, 13(8), 959; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13080959 - 7 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1563
Abstract
Complete insect metamorphosis requires substantial metabolic and physiological adjustments. Although oxidative stress has been implicated in metamorphosis, details on redox metabolism during larva-to-pupa and pupa-to-adult remain scarce. This study explores redox metabolism during metamorphosis of a lepidopteran (Chlosyne lacinia), focusing on core [...] Read more.
Complete insect metamorphosis requires substantial metabolic and physiological adjustments. Although oxidative stress has been implicated in metamorphosis, details on redox metabolism during larva-to-pupa and pupa-to-adult remain scarce. This study explores redox metabolism during metamorphosis of a lepidopteran (Chlosyne lacinia), focusing on core metabolism, antioxidant systems and oxidative stress. The larva-to-pupa transition was characterized by increased lactate dehydrogenase and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities, coupled with depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH), high disulfide-to-total-glutathione ratio (GSSG/tGSH), and increased lipid peroxidation. As metamorphosis progressed, metabolic enzyme activities, citrate synthase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase increased, indicating heightened oxidative metabolism associated with adult development. Concurrently, GSH and GPX levels returned to larval levels and GSSG/tGSH reached its most reduced state right before adult emergence. Adult emergence was marked by a further increase in oxidative metabolism, accompanied by redox imbalance and enhanced antioxidant mechanisms. These findings highlight a fluctuation in redox balance throughout metamorphosis, with periods of oxidative eustress followed by compensatory antioxidant responses. This study is the first to identify concurrent changes in metabolism, antioxidants, redox balance and oxidative stress throughout metamorphosis. Our findings extend knowledge on redox metabolism adjustments and highlight redox adaptations and oxidative stress as natural components of complete insect metamorphosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Redox Metabolism in Ecophysiology and Evolution, 2nd Edition)
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16 pages, 1722 KiB  
Article
The Interactive Effects of the Anti-Sea Lice Pesticide Azamethiphos and Temperature on Oxidative Damage and Antioxidant Responses in the Oyster Ostrea chilensis
by Jaime A. Montory, Victor M. Cubillos, Oscar R. Chaparro, Paulina Gebauer, Matthew R. Lee, Eduardo Ramírez-Kuschel, Francisco Paredes-Molina, Valentina Lara-Sandoval, Juan P. Cumillaf, Luis P. Salas-Yanquin and Joseline A. Büchner-Miranda
Antioxidants 2024, 13(6), 737; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13060737 - 17 Jun 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1745
Abstract
Azamethiphos is used in the salmon industry to treat sea lice and is subsequently discharged into the sea, which may affect non-target species (NTS). A rise in seawater temperature could enhance the sensitivity of NTS. Thus, in the present investigation, the combined effects [...] Read more.
Azamethiphos is used in the salmon industry to treat sea lice and is subsequently discharged into the sea, which may affect non-target species (NTS). A rise in seawater temperature could enhance the sensitivity of NTS. Thus, in the present investigation, the combined effects of azamethiphos (0 µg L−1, 15 µg L−1 and 100 µg L−1) and temperature (12 °C and 15 °C) was assessed over time (7 days) in the gonads and gills of the oyster Ostrea chilensis, assessing its oxidative damage (lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyls) and total antioxidant capacity. Our results indicated that in gonads and gills, lipid peroxidation levels increased over time during exposure to both pesticide concentrations. Protein carbonyl levels in gills increased significantly in all experimental treatments; however, in gonads, only pesticide concentration and exposure time effected a significant increase in protein damage. In both, gill and gonad temperature did not influence oxidative damage levels. Total antioxidant capacity in gonads was influenced only by temperature treatment, whereas in the gills, neither temperature nor azamethiphos concentration influenced defensive responses. In conclusion, our results indicated the time of pesticide exposure (both concentrations) had a greater influence than temperature on the cellular damage in this oyster. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Redox Metabolism in Ecophysiology and Evolution, 2nd Edition)
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17 pages, 1702 KiB  
Article
Oxidative Damage and Antioxidants as Markers for the Selection of Emersion Hardening Treatments in GreenshellTM Mussel Juveniles (Perna canaliculus)
by Natalí J. Delorme, David J. Burritt, Leonardo N. Zamora, Mena R. V. Welford and Paul M. South
Antioxidants 2024, 13(2), 198; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13020198 - 4 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1508
Abstract
Transport out of the water is one of the most challenging events for juvenile Perna canaliculus and can be a highly inefficient process, with many juveniles subsequently being lost following extended periods of emersion. Hardening techniques offer a possible method for reducing transport-related [...] Read more.
Transport out of the water is one of the most challenging events for juvenile Perna canaliculus and can be a highly inefficient process, with many juveniles subsequently being lost following extended periods of emersion. Hardening techniques offer a possible method for reducing transport-related stress. In this study, different hardening treatments (short, long and intermittent sub-lethal emersion) were used to prepare ~1.2 mm P.canaliculus for transport (20 h) and subsequent reoxygenation stress during re-immersion (i.e., recovery). The oxidative stress responses, resettlement behaviour, respiration rates and survival of the mussels after transport and during recovery were all assessed. Short emersion (1 h) as a hardening treatment prior to transport did not cause major stress to the mussels, which maintained respiration at control levels, showed significantly stimulated antioxidant defences during recovery, showed greater resettlement behaviour and remained viable after 24 h of recovery. In comparison, the long and intermittent emersion treatments negatively impacted oxidative stress responses and affected the viability of the mussels after 24 h of recovery. This study showed that exposing juvenile P.canaliculus to a mild stress prior to transport may stimulate protective mechanisms, therefore eliciting a hardening response, but care must be taken to avoid overstressing the mussels. Improving the management of stress during the transport of juvenile mussels may be key to minimising mussel losses and increasing harvest production, and biomarkers associated with oxidative stress/antioxidant metabolism could be valuable tools to ensure emersion hardening does not overstress the mussels and reduce survival. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Redox Metabolism in Ecophysiology and Evolution, 2nd Edition)
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9 pages, 1353 KiB  
Opinion
ROS Signaling and NADPH Oxidase in Red Algae
by Gwang-Hoon Kim, Eunyoung Shim and Giuseppe C. Zuccarello
Antioxidants 2025, 14(4), 480; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14040480 - 16 Apr 2025
Viewed by 212
Abstract
We explore the diverse roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and NADPH oxidases in red algae, focusing on their involvement in fertilization, wound repair, stress adaptation, and development. Once considered mere metabolic byproducts, ROS are now recognized as pivotal signaling molecules in red [...] Read more.
We explore the diverse roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and NADPH oxidases in red algae, focusing on their involvement in fertilization, wound repair, stress adaptation, and development. Once considered mere metabolic byproducts, ROS are now recognized as pivotal signaling molecules in red algae. ROS are actively produced and regulated by NADPH oxidase homologs in red algae. During fertilization, ROS facilitate gamete recognition and post-fertilization cell wall development. NADPH oxidase-produced ROS also play essential roles in wound repair, aiding cellular migration and cytoskeletal reorganization at injury sites. A survey of NADPH oxidase homologs in transcriptomic and genomic datasets shows that NADPH oxidase homologs have a long evolutionary history in red algae, with some orthologs duplicating before the split of the Bangiophyceae–Flordeophyceae, approximately 1.1 billion years ago. Additionally, we discuss modifications in red algal NADPH oxidase genes related to calcium binding compared to plants and hypothesize that independent calcium signaling pathways are involved. These insights reveal the significance of NADPH oxidase at a molecular level in supporting red algae’s physiological processes and adaptive strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Redox Metabolism in Ecophysiology and Evolution, 2nd Edition)
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