Glutaredoxin system and its regulation to the cytosolic thiol-redox status
谷氧还蛋白系统及其对细胞氧化还原态势的调控

The regulation of the intraceUular redox environment is mainly performed by either glutaredoxin system or thioredoxin system. The former consists of glutathione, glutathione reductase and glutaredoxin, while the later consists of thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase. Glutaredoxin, also known as thioltransferase, is a small protein belonging to the thioredoxin superfamily and is widely distributed varying from bacteria to mammalian cells. This system catalyzes thiol-disulfide exchange reactions or protein-mixed glutathione disulfides reduction to maintain thiol redox status of the cytosol. Recent progress made on glutaredoxin system has linked redox to the regulation of a multitude of processes in various organisms, including sulfhydryl homeostasis, signaling transduction, cell apoptosis and cell proliferation. Research work in this area is currently under exploration promises to provide a fuller understanding of the role of glutaredoxin in cellular redox processes.