Superoxides Relay Ras Protein's Oncogenic Message

Abstract

Health-conscious consumers may now have another reason for thinking that antioxidants might help protect against cancer. On page 1649 , researchers report new results suggesting that superoxide-—a free radical consisting of an oxygen molecule with an extra electron—helps a protein called Ras transmit its growth-stimulating signals to the nucleus. Because overactivity of this pathway is thought to contribute to the development of a wide variety of cancers, the work provides further support for the idea that reactive oxygen species such as superoxide are good targets for anticancer drugs. George Bush, eat your broccoli!