Superoxide flashes: Elemental events of mitochondrial ROS signaling in the heart

The role of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mitoROS) in cellular function remains obscure. By synthesizing recent data, we propose here that local dynamic mitoROS in the form of “superoxide flashes” serve as “signaling ROS” rather than “homeostatic ROS”, distinguishable from basal mitoROS due to constitutive leakage of the electron transfer chain (ETC). Individual superoxide flashes are 10-s mitoROS bursts that are compartmentalized to a single mitochondrion or local mitochondrial networks. As a highly-conserved universal mitochondrial activity, it occurs in intact cells, in ex vivo beating hearts, and even in living animals. Unlike basal mitoROS, superoxide flashes are ignited by transient openings of a type of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), and their incidence is richly regulated by an array of factors that converge on either the mPTP or ETC. Emerging evidence has shown that superoxide flashes decode dietary and metabolic status or exercise, gauge oxidative stress (e.g., during reoxygenation after hypoxia or anoxia), and constitute early mitochondrial signals that initiate oxidative stress-related apoptosis in a context-dependent manner. That they make only a miniscule contribution to global ROS attests to the high efficiency of local ROS signaling. However, the exact mechanisms underlying superoxide flash formation, regulation and function remain uncertain. Future investigation is warranted to uncover the cellular logic and molecular pathways of local dynamic mitoROS signaling in heart muscle cells and many other cell types.

► Superoxide flashes represent a highly-conserved universal mitochondrial activity.
► Superoxide flashes are coupled to large-conductance tMPT and require intact ETC.
► Superoxide flash serves as elemental signaling ROS, differing from homeostatic ROS.
► Flash activity correlates with metabolic status, exercise and I/R injury.
► Controversies about flash formation, regulation and function are to be resolved.