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Thioredoxin-related protein of 14 kDa (TRP14, also called TXNDC17 for thioredoxin domain containing 17, or TXNL5 for thioredoxin-like 5) is an evolutionarily well-conserved member of the thioredoxin (Trx)-fold protein family that lacks activity with classical Trx1 substrates. However, we discovered here that human TRP14 has a high enzymatic activity in reduction of l -cystine, where the catalytic efficiency (2,217 min ⁻¹⋅µM ⁻¹) coupled to Trx reductase 1 (TrxR1) using NADPH was fivefold higher compared with Trx1 (418 min ⁻¹⋅µM ⁻¹). Moreover, the l -cystine reduction with TRP14 was in contrast to that of Trx1 fully maintained in the presence of a protein disulfide substrate of Trx1 such as insulin, suggesting that TRP14 is a more dedicated l -cystine reductase compared with Trx1. We also found that TRP14 is an efficient S-denitrosylase with similar efficiency as Trx1 in catalyzing TrxR1-dependent denitrosylation of S-nitrosylated glutathione or of HEK293 cell-derived S-nitrosoproteins. Consequently, nitrosylated and thereby inactivated caspase 3 or cathepsin B could be reactivated through either Trx1- or TRP14-catalyzed denitrosylation reactions. TRP14 was also, in contrast to Trx1, completely resistant to inactivation by high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. The oxidoreductase activities of TRP14 thereby complement those of Trx1 and must therefore be considered for the full understanding of enzymatic control of cellular thiols and nitrosothiols.

Ribonucleotide reductases (RNR) catalyze the rate-limiting step in DNA synthesis during the S -phase of the cell cycle. Its constant activity in order to maintain dNTP homeostasis is a fascinating area of research and an attractive candidate for cancer research and antiviral drugs. Redox modification such as S -glutathionylation of the R1 subunit of mammalian RNR protein has been presumed to regulate the activity of RNR during catalytic cycles. Herein, we report S -glutathionylation of the R2 subunit. We have also shown Grx1 system can efficiently deglutathionylate the S -glutathionylated R2 subunit. Additionally, our data also showed for the very first time S -glutathionylation of mammalian p53R2 subunit that regulates DNA synthesis outside S -phase during DNA damage and repair. Taken together, these data will open new avenues for future research relating to exact physiological significance, target thiols, and/or overall RNR activity due to S -glutathionylation of R2 and p53R2 subunits and provide valuable insights for effective treatment regimes.

S-nitrosylation of proteins occurs as a consequence of the derivatization of cysteine thiols with nitric oxide (NO) and is often associated with diseases and protein malfunction. Aberrant S-nitrosylation, in addition to other genetic and epigenetic factors, has gained rapid importance as a prime cause of various metabolic, respiratory, and cardiac disorders, with a major emphasis on cancer and neurodegeneration. The S-nitrosoproteome, a term used to collectively refer to the diverse and dynamic repertoire of S-nitrosylated proteins, is relatively less explored in the field of redox biochemistry, in contrast to other covalently modified versions of the same set of proteins. Advancing research is gradually unveiling the enormous clinical importance of S-nitrosylation in the etiology of diseases and is opening up new avenues of prompt diagnosis that harness this phenomenon. Ever since the discovery of the two robust and highly conserved S-nitrosoglutathione reductase and thioredoxin systems as candidate denitrosylases, years of rampant speculation centered around the identification of specific substrates and other candidate denitrosylases, subcellular localization of both substrates and denitrosylases, the position of susceptible thiols, mechanisms of S-denitrosylation under basal and stimulus-dependent conditions, impact on protein conformation and function, and extrapolating these findings towards the understanding of diseases, aging and the development of novel therapeutic strategies. However, newer insights in the ever-expanding field of redox biology reveal distinct gaps in exploring the crucial crosstalk between the redoxins/major denitrosylase systems. Clarifying the importance of the functional overlap of the glutaredoxin, glutathione, and thioredoxin systems and examining their complementary functions as denitrosylases and antioxidant enzymatic defense systems are essential prerequisites for devising a rationale that could aid in predicting the extent of cell survival under high oxidative/nitrosative stress while taking into account the existence of the alternative and compensatory regulatory mechanisms. This review thus attempts to highlight major gaps in our understanding of the robust cellular redox regulation system, which is upheld by the concerted efforts of various denitrosylases and antioxidants.

We recently discovered that the expression of PRKN , a young-onset Parkinson disease-linked gene, confers redox homeostasis. To further examine the protective effects of parkin in an oxidative stress model, we first combined the loss of prkn with Sod2 haploinsufficiency in mice. Although adult prkn −/− // Sod2 ± animals did not develop dopamine cell loss in the S. nigra , they had more reactive oxidative species and a higher concentration of carbonylated proteins in the brain; bi-genic mice also showed a trend for more nitrotyrosinated proteins. Because these redox changes were seen in the cytosol rather than mitochondria, we next explored the thiol network in the context of PRKN expression. We detected a parkin deficiency-associated increase in the ratio of reduced glutathione (GSH) to oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in murine brain, PRKN- linked human cortex and several cell models. This shift resulted from enhanced recycling of GSSG back to GSH via upregulated glutathione reductase activity; it also correlated with altered activities of redox-sensitive enzymes in mitochondria isolated from mouse brain (e.g., aconitase-2; creatine kinase). Intriguingly, human parkin itself showed glutathione-recycling activity in vitro and in cells: For each GSSG dipeptide encountered, parkin regenerated one GSH molecule and was S -glutathionylated by the other (GSSG + P-SH → GSH + P- S -SG), including at cysteines 59, 95 and 377. Moreover, parkin’s S -glutathionylation was reversible by glutaredoxin activity. In summary, we found that PRKN gene expression contributes to the network of available thiols in the cell, including by parkin’s participation in glutathione recycling, which involves a reversible, posttranslational modification at select cysteines. Further, parkin’s impact on redox homeostasis in the cytosol can affect enzyme activities elsewhere, such as in mitochondria. We posit that antioxidant functions of parkin may explain many of its previously described, protective effects in vertebrates and invertebrates that are unrelated to E3 ligase activity.

Background The thioredoxin system (Trx), comprising of Trx, Thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and NADPH aids in donating hydrogen group to support Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) catalysis during de-novo DNA biosynthesis. However, it has been observed that inhibiting TrxR does not affect the viability of cancer cells that are susceptible to pharmacological glutathione (GSH) depletion. This prompted us to study the potential antioxidant redundancies that might prolong RNR activity. Methods To study the RNR activity assay, the RNR complex was reconstituted by mixing purified mouse recombinant RNR subunits and the conversion of [ 3  H] CDP into [ 3  H] dCDP was monitored. In the assay system, either purified Trx and GSH or Lipoamide system was supplemented as reducing agents to support RNR catalysis. Results Herein, we have found that GSH-dependent Trx reduction supports mammalian class I RNR catalysis in absence of TrxR in the system. Our data also presents the first report that the LAM system is capable of supporting in-vitro RNR activity in the complete absence of either Trx or Grx systems. Conclusions We conclude that GSH-mediated Trx reduction and LAM systems support basal level RNR activity in vitro; in absence of TrxR and complete redoxin systems respectively and hypothesize that potential redundancy between the various antioxidant systems might synergize in sustaining RNR activity.

The mechanisms by which parkin protects the adult human brain from Parkinson disease remain incompletely understood. We hypothesized that parkin cysteines participate in redox reactions and that these are reflected in its posttranslational modifications. We found that in post mortem human brain, including in the Substantia nigra, parkin is largely insoluble after age 40 years; this transition is linked to its oxidation, such as at residues Cys95 and Cys253. In mice, oxidative stress induces posttranslational modifications of parkin cysteines that lower its solubility in vivo. Similarly, oxidation of recombinant parkin by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) promotes its insolubility and aggregate formation, and in exchange leads to the reduction of H2O2. This thiol-based redox activity is diminished by parkin point mutants, e.g., p.C431F and p.G328E. In prkn-null mice, H2O2 levels are increased under oxidative stress conditions, such as acutely by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine toxin exposure or chronically due to a second, genetic hit; H2O2 levels are also significantly increased in parkin-deficient human brain. In dopamine toxicity studies, wild-type parkin, but not disease-linked mutants, protects human dopaminergic cells, in part through lowering H2O2. Parkin also neutralizes reactive, electrophilic dopamine metabolites via adduct formation, which occurs foremost at the primate-specific residue Cys95. Further, wild-type but not p.C95A-mutant parkin augments melanin formation in vitro. By probing sections of adult, human midbrain from control individuals with epitope-mapped, monoclonal antibodies, we found specific and robust parkin reactivity that co-localizes with neuromelanin pigment, frequently within LAMP-3/CD63+ lysosomes. We conclude that oxidative modifications of parkin cysteines are associated with protective outcomes, which include the reduction of H2O2, conjugation of reactive dopamine metabolites, sequestration of radicals within insoluble aggregates, and increased melanin formation. The loss of these complementary redox effects may augment oxidative stress during ageing in dopamine-producing cells of mutant PRKN allele carriers, thereby enhancing the risk of Parkinson’s-linked neurodegeneration.

The enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose has potential economical and environment-friendly applications. Therefore, discovery of new extremophilic cellulases is essential to meet the requirements of industry. Penicillium citrinum (MTCC 6489) that was previously isolated from soil in our laboratory, produced alkali tolerant and thermostable cellulases. Endoglucanase and filter paper activity hydrolase (FPAse) production of P. citrinum were studied using wheat bran substrate in solid state and submerged culture. Zymogram analysis of endoglucanase revealed the presence of two isoforms differing in molecular weight. One of them was 90 kDa and other one was 38 kDa. Partially purified endoglucanase showed two different peaks at pH 5.5 and 8.0, respectively, in its pH optima curve. But FPase showed only one peak (at pH 6.5) in its pH optima curve. Cellulase of P. citrinum is thermostable in nature. The present work reports for the first time, the alkali stable cellulase from alkali tolerant fungus Penicillium citrinum. Thermostable endoglucanase from P. citrinum may have potential effectiveness as additives to laundry detergents.

Thioredoxin-related protein of 14 kDa (TRP14, also called TXNDC17 for thioredoxin domain containing 17, or TXNL5 for thioredoxin-like 5) is an evolutionarily well-conserved member of the thioredoxin (Trx)-fold protein family that lacks activity with classical Trx1 substrates. However, we discovered here that human TRP14 has a high enzymatic activity in reduction of L-cystine, where the catalytic efficiency (2,217 min−1 ·μM−1) coupled to Trx reductase 1 (TrxR1) using NADPH was fivefold higher compared with Trx1 (418 min−1·μM−1). Moreover, the L-cystine reduction with TRP14 was in contrast to that of Trx1 fully maintained in the presence of a protein disulfide substrate of Trx1 such as insulin, suggesting that TRP14 is a more indicated L-cystine reductase compared with Trx1. We also found that TRP14 is an efficient S-denitrosylase with similar efficiency as Trx1 in catalyzing TrxR1-dependent denitrosylation of S-nitrosylated glutathione or of HEK293 cell-derived S-nitro-soproteins. Consequently, nitrosylated and thereby inactivated caspase 3 or cathepsin B could be reactivated through either Trx1-or TRP14-catalyzed denitrosylation reactions. TRP14 was also, in contrast to Trx1, completely resistant to inactivation by high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. The oxidoreductase activities of TRP14 thereby complement those of Trx1 and must therefore be considered for the full understanding of enzymatic control of cellular thiols and nitrosothiols.

The mechanisms by which parkin protects the adult human brain from Parkinson disease remain incompletely understood. We hypothesized that parkin cysteines participate in redox reactions, which are reflected in its posttranslational modifications. We found that in human control brain, including the S. nigra, parkin is largely insoluble after age 40 years, which is linked to its oxidation, e.g., at Cys95 and Cys253. In mice, oxidative stress increases posttranslational modifications at parkin cysteines and reduces its solubility. Oxidation of recombinant parkin also promotes insolubility and aggregate formation, but in parallel, lowers hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). This thiol-based redox activity is diminished by parkin point mutants, e.g., p.C431F and p.G328E. Intriguingly, in parkin-deficient human brain H2O2 concentrations are elevated. In prkn-null mice, H2O2 levels are dysregulated under oxidative stress conditions, such as acutely by MPTP-toxin exposure or chronically due to a second genetic hit. In dopamine toxicity studies, wild-type parkin, but not disease-linked mutants, protects human dopaminergic M17 cells, in part through lowering H2O2. Parkin also neutralizes reactive, electrophilic dopamine metabolites via adduct formation, which occurs foremost at primate-specific Cys95. Further, wild-type but not p.C95A-mutant parkin augments melanin formation. In sections of normal, adult human midbrain, parkin specifically co-localizes with neuromelanin pigment, frequently within LAMP-3/CD63+ lysosomes. We conclude that oxidative modifications of parkin cysteines are associated with protective outcomes, which include the reduction of H2O2, conjugation of reactive dopamine metabolites, sequestration of radicals within insoluble aggregates, and increased melanin formation. The loss of these redox effects may augment oxidative stress in dopamine producing neurons of mutant PRKN allele carriers, thereby contributing to neurodegeneration.