The Role of Peroxiredoxins in Various Diseases Caused by Oxidative Stress and the Prospects of Using Exogenous Peroxiredoxins

Abstract

This review summarizes the recent achievements in studying the functions of peroxiredoxins (Prxs) in socially significant diseases and considers possible applications of research outcomes. Prxs are an evolutionarily ancient family of peroxidases that perform diverse functions in the cell. Prxs are involved in maintaining cell redox homeostasis and prevent oxidation and aggregation of many important regulatory proteins, thereby affecting the expression levels of a huge number of genes. Prxs play a role in intracellular and intercellular signal transmission and modulate the cell response in normal conditions and in stress accompanied by elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Because of their versatility and abundance in all tissues and organs, Prxs contribute to the development or suppression of many pathological conditions. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of these processes will help to design new means to prevent and to treat many socially significant diseases.