NADPH OXIDASE

Superoxide is instrumental in the killing of microorganisms by phagocy tic cells. It is generated by the NADPH oxidase system, a membrane-bou nd electron transport complex which pumps electrons from NADPH in the cytoplasm across the wall of the phagocytic vacuole to molecular oxyge n. Superoxide deficiency results in the genetically inherited conditio n Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD), in which the patient is abnorma lly susceptible to infection. In recent years many of the underlying g enetic defects in CGD have been identified and are providing important insights into the structure and mechanism of the NADPH oxidase comple x. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd