Iron plays an important role in a number of essential functions in the organism. The unique abilities of iron to change its oxidation state and redox potential depending on the liganding environment makes iron-containing enzymes the key components of many essential biological reactions, such as energy metabolism, oxygen transport, DNA synthesis and repair, detoxification of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and many other reactions catalysed by oxygenases, peroxygenases, etc. However, the same physicochemical properties that make iron indispensable in many biological processes make it harmful. If improperly shielded, iron can catalyse one-electron reduction of oxygen species that lead to production of very reactive free radicals. Trace amounts of “free” iron can catalyse production of a highly toxic hydroxyl radical via Fenton/Haber-Weiss reaction cycle. Iron-driven generation of oxygen–derived free radicals is known to induce oxidation of proteins, lipids and lipoproteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and other cellular components.

There is an increasing body of evidence that oxidative stress caused by an excessive exposure to reactive oxygen species, such as hydroxyl (^·OH) and superoxide (O₂^·) radicals, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and to reactive nitrogen species, such as nitric oxide (^·NO) or peroxynitrite (ONOO^-) has deleterious effect on the whole organism at different levels. This review is focused on the role of iron and iron-containing proteins in the induction and repair of oxidative DNA adducts in the nucleus and mitochondria.

Two pools of cellular iron draw special attention nowadays: the so-called labile iron pool, a loosely bound iron chelated by low molecular weight cytoplasmic components, and lysosomal iron. Hence, involvement of labile iron pool and lysosomal destabilisation in the induction of DNA damage will be identified with respect to the mechanisms of iron uptake and storage. In addition, the contribution of reactive nitrogen species to iron induced toxicity will be discussed in relation to the naturally occurring processes, such as anemia of chronic disease.

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