The antioxidant enzyme peroxiredoxin and its protective role in neurological disorders.

Peroxiredoxin (Prx) represents a family of sulfhydryl-dependent peroxidases that reduce hydrogen peroxide and organic hydroperoxides to water and alcohols, respectively. There are six known mammalian isozymes (Prx1-6), classified as typical 2-Cys, atypical 2-Cys, or 1-Cys Prxs. In addition to their well-established peroxide-scavenging activity, Prxs also participate in the regulation of various cell signaling pathways. Experimental studies provide substantial evidence for a protective role of Prxs in various neurological disorders involving oxidative and inflammatory stress. There is also evidence suggesting a potential benefit of Prxs in certain neurological diseases in human subjects. This review first describes the biochemical properties and molecular regulation of Prxs, then summarizes the major findings on the neuroprotective functions of Prxs and finally discusses the feasibility of using natural compounds, including those from herbal remedies to augment Prx expression to counteract oxidative neurological disorders.