Thioredoxin Reductase (TR, TrxR) are the only known enzymes to reduce thioredoxin (Trx).

Diversity

All known kingdom of organisms contain thioredoxin reductase. Two types of thioredoxin reductase evolved independently:

• prokaryotes, archaea and most plants have one type.
• higher eukaryotes and some plants contain a different one that contains selenocysteine.

Three TRs exist in animals: TR1, TR3, and TGR. Both TR1 and TR3 are essential proteins for mouse embryogenesis.

Clinical significance

Since the activity of this enzyme is essential for cell growth and survival, it is a good target for anti-tumor therapy.

For example, motexafin gadolinium (MGd) is a new chemotherapeutic agent that selectively targets tumor cells, leading to cell death and apoptosis via inhibition of thioredoxin reductase and ribonucleotide reductase.

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