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Virginia Tech

Nox4 mediates metabolic stress responses

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Deficits in skeletal muscle mitochondrial metabolism are associated with a wide variety of chronic skeletal muscle and metabolic-related diseases, including diabetes and sarcopenia. Even in patients with advanced skeletal muscle-related diseases, exercise is a well-established method to improve skeletal muscle mitochondrial metabolism, culminating in enhanced whole-body metabolism and decreased disease severity. In response to exercise, there is an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Historically, ROS were solely considered to drive disease development. However, ROS are also required for physiological adaptation and many questions still remain regarding their downstream pathways. One significant producer of skeletal muscle ROS with exercise is Nadph oxidase 4 (Nox4). Nox4 is unique compared to other Nox members as it predominantly produces hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), an effective signaling molecule. Here we demonstrate an essential role for Nox4 in mediating the beneficial effects of exercise. This work will contribute to our understanding of physiological ROS and their downstream targets by identifying a novel role for Nox4 in exercise adaptation. Further defining the molecular events that promote exercise adaptation will be essential for formulating new treatment strategies for patients with chronic metabolic diseases.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Doctor of Philosophy
Level thesis:degree_level
doctoral
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise
Department dc:contributor.department
Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2022

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Specht, Kalyn Sloane
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Craige, Siobhan
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Schmelz, Eva Maria
  • Miller, Francis J.
  • Davy, Kevin P.
  • Drake, Joshua Chadwick

Subjects

dc:subject × 5

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
vt_gsexam:35098
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/110495

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Specht, Kalyn Sloane. Nox4 mediates metabolic stress responses. doctoral thesis, Virginia Tech, 2022. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/110495