MULTIFUNCTIONAL PLASMA-MEMBRANE REDOX SYSTEMS

All the biological membranes contain oxidoreduction systems actively i nvolved in their bioenergetics. Plasma membrane redox systems seem to be ubiquitous and they have been related to several important function s, including not only their role in cell bioenergetics, but also in ce ll defense through the generation of reactive oxygen species, in iron uptake, in the control of cell growth and proliferation and in signal transduction. In the last few years, an increasing number of mechanist ic and molecular studies have deeply widened our knowledge on the func tion of these plasma membrane redox systems. The aim of this review is to summarize what is currently known about the components and physiol ogical roles of these systems.