What is glutathion peroxidase?
free radicals are produced as a normal part of cellular metabolism. Such compounds include peroxides - oxidative compounds that can damage DNA, lipids and proteins. This oxidative stress can contribute to diseases such as atherosclerosis and the aging process. Glutathion peroxidase (GPX) is a type of enzyme that serves as a cellular antioxidant. It reduces the peroxide group to a relatively non -impact alcohol group using glutathion as a reduction agent and thus protects the cell from oxidative damage.
When the compound is oxidized, it gives up the electron. With oxygen -containing compounds, this results in an unstable compound that takes the electron from a nearby substance to stabilize, which will potentially cause great damage to the cellular components. Peroxides are compounds composed of two oxygen molecules connected by a single binding that is highly oxidative. These substances can be reduced and less harmful enzymes known as peroxidases. This activity of poisons important mechanism dEthoxication of antioxidants for virtually all organisms that live in an atmosphere of oxygen, including microorganisms. Instead, Glutathion has peroxidase metal selenium at its active location. This is one of the reasons why selenium is needed in the human diet. This type of peroxidase uses compound glutathion containing sulfur to reduce peroxides and their detoxification.
glutathion peroxidase includes an enzyme family. Thus, there are a number of closely related proteins produced by different human genes. Different enzymes seem to have separate functions. They are produced in heterogeneous tissues and differ in the types of reactions of mediated enzymes.
In humans, eight different types were identified. The primary form seems to be GPX1. It is the most common of these enzymes and is found in cytosol of most mammals tissues. This form of glutathion peroxidase is most effective in reducing hydrogen peroxide to form water as the enda product.
hydrogen peroxide is a compound that often occurs in cells that easily degrade free radicals. It is produced as a result of the activity of the immune system of animals. However, this compound is toxic and needs to be detoxified by the extensive presence of the enzyme. Fortunately, GPX1 is commonly present to fill such a role by reducing hydrogen peroxide to water. Some ethnic groups have a changed version of this enzyme that improves their resistance to malaria.
Another type of glutathion peroxidase, which is an important antioxidant enzyme, is GPX4. Lipids can be oxidized to form hydroperoxides, especially harmful forms of peroxide. These reactive lipids can damage lipids around NIGRAGs to potential conditions such as inflammation and heart disease. Also known as phospholipide hydroperoxide , GPX4 reduces these damaged lipids from peroxides to alcohol. This form of glutathion peroxidase is also widely present in cells, but is expressed at a lower level than GPX1.