Thioredoxin and its role in premature newborn biology.

Thioredoxin (Trx) is a redox-active protein that has been shown to regulate various cellular processes due to its thiol-disulfide exchange reaction. It has antioxidant properties and also induces the expression of critical antioxidant enzymes such as manganese superoxide dismutase. Trx along with thioredoxin reductase and peroxiredoxins forms a complete system similar to the glutathione system, but with different and divergent functions. This review is a mini-update on key advances in the role of Trx in signal transduction and premature newborn biology. In addition, this mini-update also reviews recently reported prooxidant properties of Trx that relate to anthracycline redox cycling. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 7, 1740-1743.