Redox biology, a new discipline of life sciences
The biological and redox reactions phenomena involve molecules having a particular chemical reactivity, in particular oxygen, iron and other redox metals, and sulfur present in the thiol group (-SH) of cysteine. These redox phenomena are at the heart of cellular mechanisms essential for life, respiration and energy production, the synthesis of multiple metabolites, the folding of proteins during their secretion, protection against oxidative stress, control of the pathways cellular signaling and biological watches. They actually intervene in a multitude of other cellular processes. These redox phenomena have two essential characteristics: (i) their interdependence at the cell level and sometimes the body; (ii) the need for their very strict cellular control because of the extreme reactivity of their molecular actors, in order to avoid the propagation of abnormal reactions leading to oxidative stress. The study of redox phenomena integrated into cellular functioning and their control systems now defines a new field of life sciences, redox biology, a booming theme. A better understanding of redox biology and its physiopathological impact is a fundamental issue in human health because deregulation of redox phenomena is one of the major causes of diseases, mostly related to aging, such as cancers, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases , metabolic and inflammatory.
Team expertise and ongoing projects
Our team has gained international expertise in redox biology, particularly in reactions involving the reversible oxidation of cysteine residues. Our researchers are now mainly interested in the mechanisms of control of the thiol-redox balance according to an integrated approach of the eukaryotic cell considering its different compartments. We study the redox phenomena involved (i) in the folding of secreted proteins and the quality control of proteins; (ii) in cell signaling; (iii) in the metabolism of iron, in particular the synthesis of proteins with iron-sulfur centers. We are also studying antioxidant systems using cysteine to degrade H2O2, peroxiredoxins, also using an integrated cellular approach.
Links to the three themes of the laboratory :
Occupation of biology
Our work is based on the molecular and functional in vitro and in vivo approaches applied to the eukaryotic models of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, mammalian cell lines and the mouse. These studies combine the use of bio-sensors and innovative methods for detecting redox changes.