Exposure of cells to high levels of oxygen present in conditions of oxidative stress results in the generation of reactive oxygen species,which react with membrane phospholipids to generate lipid electrophiles. Such reactive lipid electrophiles have been shown to covalentlymodify DNA and proteins. In order to completely understand the effects of electrophiles on cell function, it is important to clearly define their protein and gene targets.While electrophiles, such asHNE, have been identified
as significant modulators of cell function and signaling, studies have barely scratched the surface in identifying the critical protein and gene mediators underlying HNE’s multifarious cellular effects. In the
following review, we will discuss the generation of lipid electrophiles from their oxidative phospholipid parent compounds. Additionally, we will describe the important scientific efforts to identify protein and
gene targets of reactive lipid electrophiles