The redox homeiostasis system in radiation-induced genome instability

The participation of the redox homeostasis system in the formation of the radiation-induced genome instability and new data of literature, that give a direct evidence the presence of this instability in vivo, is considered. The O2&middot, H2O2 and NO&middot role as signal molecules, that triggered the cascade of active responses to change of redox status of the cells, are discussed. These compounds are mediators, that triggered the expression of specific genes. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) reorganize the membrane physico-chemical system of cell metabolism regulation. The composition, structure and function of cell membranes are changed, the membrane-bound proteins are modified. The data about changes in ROS generation system, including NO, that lead to genome instability after ionizing irradiation even in low doses, are analyzed.