Thioredoxin Glutathione Reductase from Schistosoma mansoni: An Essential Parasite Enzyme and a Key Drug Target
Figure 1
Redox Pathways in Mammals and S. mansoni
In mammals (upper pathway), electrons from NADPH are transferred to an oxidoreductase flavoenzyme, either thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) or glutathione reductase (GR). Electrons are then transferred from the oxidoreductase flavoenzyme to the appropriate electron carrier, either oxidized thioredoxin (Trx-S2) or glutathione disulfide (GSSG) converting them to reduced thioredoxin (Trx-[SH]2) or glutathione (GSH), respectively. Trx-(SH)2 and GSH then supply reducing equivalents for a number of different reactions, including those that are glutaredoxin (Grx)-dependent. In S. mansoni (lower pathway), TrxR and GR are replaced with a unique oxidoreductase flavoenzyme, TGR, which provides reducing equivalents for Trx-, GSH- and Grx-dependent reactions.