The Dangers of Excess Oxygen on Human Health.

Scientists at Gladstone Institutes have discovered how excessive oxygen levels alter certain iron and sulfur-containing proteins within our cells, triggering a chain reaction that causes damage to cells and tissues. The research, which has been published in the journal Molecular Cell, shed light on the implications for conditions like heart attacks and sleep apnea. The team used CRISPR to test the roles of a variety of genes in hyperoxia and found that four molecular pathways stood out in the screen as being involved in the effects of hyperoxia. They related to diverse cellular functions including the repair of damaged DNA, the production of new DNA building blocks, and the generation of cellular energy.