Thioredoxin System in Cell Death Progression

In the regulation of cell death processes, Trx redox state and TrxR activities are key factors that determine the cell fate. The high reactivity of Sec in TrxRs and its accessible location make TrxR enzymes emerge as targets for pharmaceutic drugs. TrxR inactivation by covalent modification does not only change the redox state and activity of Trx, but may also convert TrxR into a reactive oxygen species generator. Numerous electrophilic compounds including some environmental toxins and pharmaceutical drugs inhibit TrxR. We have classified these compounds into four types and propose some useful principles to understand the reaction mechanism of the TrxR inhibition by these compounds.