Abstract
All forms of life maintain a reducing environment (homeostasis) within their cells. Perturbations in the normal redox state can lead to an oxidative environment which has deleterious effects, especially in health. In biological systems, metabolic activities are dependent mainly on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, a metabolic pathway that uses energy released by the oxidation of nutrients to produce ATP. In the process of oxidative phosphorylation, electrons are transferred from electron donors to electron acceptors such as oxygen in redox reactions and often results to the generation of reactive species. Reactive oxygen species consist of a class of radical and non-radical oxygen derivatives. The imbalance between the reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defence systems leads to oxidative burden and hence, damage biological molecules. Antioxidants help to prevent or fix the deleterious effects of reactive species. Sulfur is an important element in biological systems. This atom is usually integrated into proteins as the redox-active cysteine residue and in molecules such as glutathione, thioredoxin and glutaredoxin which are vital antioxidant molecules and are therefore essential for life. This review covers the role of sulfur containing antioxidant systems in oxidative environments.
Highlights
Oxidative phosphorylation is a metabolic process by which respiratory enzymes in the mitochondria synthesize ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate (Pi) during the oxidation of organic molecules such as carbohydrates, fats and proteins
This review presents the potential role of sulfur containing antioxidant systems such as glutathione, thioredoxin and glutaredoxin in oxidative environments
Reactive oxygen species are produced as a result of oxidative respiration
Summary
Oxidative phosphorylation is a metabolic process by which respiratory enzymes in the mitochondria synthesize ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate (Pi) during the oxidation of organic molecules such as carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Oxidation is a crucial part of both aerobic life and metabolism [1] because it provides energy for the cell to perform its functions. An antioxidant is defined as a molecule that is capable of preventing or slowing the oxidation of other molecules. It does so even at relatively small concentration, having diverse physiological roles in the body and health [3]. There is an array of naturally occurring antioxidants in nature which differ in their composition, properties (physical and chemical), mechanisms and site of actions [5,6]. Sulfur is found in all living cells and it is a key component of some proteins which are essential for health. This review presents the potential role of sulfur containing antioxidant systems such as glutathione, thioredoxin and glutaredoxin in oxidative environments
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