Mitochondrial and cytosolic expression of human peroxiredoxin 5 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae protect yeast cells from oxidative stress induced by paraquat.

Human peroxiredoxin 5 is a recently discovered mitochondrial, peroxisomal and cytosolic thioredoxin peroxidase able to reduce hydrogen peroxide and alkyl hydroperoxides. To gain insight into peroxiredoxin 5 antioxidant role in cell protection, we investigated the resistance of yeast cells expressing human peroxiredoxin 5 in mitochondria or in the cytosol against oxidative stress induced by paraquat. The herbicide paraquat is a redox active drug known to generate superoxide anions in mitochondria and the cytosol of yeast and mammalian cells leading to the formation of several reactive oxygen species. Here, we report that mitochondrial and cytosolic human peroxiredoxin 5 protect yeast cells from cytotoxicity and lipid peroxidation induced by paraquat.