Multiple roles of cytochrome c oxidase in mammalian cells under action of red and IR‐A radiation

Abstract This article reviews the current knowledge in photobiology and photomedicine about the influence of monochromatic, quasimonochromatic, and bread‐band radiation of red‐to‐near infrared (IR‐A) part on solar spectrum upon mammalian cells and human skin. The role of cytochrome c oxidase as the photoacceptor and photosignal transducer is underlined and its photosensitivity at certain circumstances is discussed. The role of ATP as a critical signaling molecule is discussed. © 2010 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 62(8): 607–610, 2010.