Thioredoxin: a multifunctional antioxidant enzyme in kidney, heart and vessels.
OBJECTIVE
Recent studies indicate that an imbalance in cell redox state alters multiple cell pathways that may contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disorders including hypertension and renal failure.


RESULTS
The thioredoxin system (thioredoxin, thioredoxin reductase, and NADPH) is a ubiquitous thiol oxidoreductase system that regulates cellular reduction/oxidation (redox) status. Thioredoxin plays an essential role in cell function by limiting oxidative stress directly via antioxidant effects and indirectly by protein-protein interactions with key signaling molecules such as thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP). Examples include the findings that hyperglycemia and diabetes induce TXNIP and decrease thioredoxin activity, while steady blood flow decreases TXNIP and increases thioredoxin activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on these findings we propose that thioredoxin and its endogenous regulators represent important future targets to develop clinical therapies for diseases associated with oxidative stress.
Yamawaki
Hideyuki
H
Center for Cardiovascular Research, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
Berk
Bradford C
BC
D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000201:enzymology*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000201:enzymology*; D013880:Thioredoxin-Disulfide Reductase / Q000502:physiology*
D013880:Thioredoxin-Disulfide Reductase