Gene Symbol | TXNRD2 |
Entrez Gene ID | 416782 |
Full Name | thioredoxin reductase 2 |
General protein information |
|
Gene Type | protein-coding |
Organism | Gallus gallus(chicken) |
Summary | The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the pyridine nucleotide-disulfide oxidoreductase family, and is a member of the thioredoxin (Trx) system. Three thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) isozymes are found in mammals. TrxRs are selenocysteine-containing flavoenzymes, which reduce thioredoxins, as well as other substrates, and play a key role in redox homoeostasis. This gene encodes a mitochondrial form important for scavenging reactive oxygen species in mitochondria. Studies in chicken suggest that this TrxR is essential for cell viability, playing a crucial role in regulating mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. It functions as a homodimer containing FAD, and selenocysteine (Sec) at the active site. Sec is encoded by UGA codon that normally signals translation termination. The 3' UTRs of selenoprotein mRNAs contain a conserved stem-loop structure, the Sec insertion sequence (SECIS) element, which is necessary for the recognition of UGA as a Sec codon rather than as a stop signal. [provided by RefSeq, Jun 2017]. |