The role of peroxiredoxins in cancer

• Published in: Molecular and clinical oncology Vol. 6; no. 2; pp. 139 - 153
• Main Authors: Nicolussi, Arianna, D'Inzeo, Sonia, Capalbo, Carlo, Giannini, Giuseppe, Coppa, Anna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Spandidos Publications 01.02.2017; Spandidos Publications UK Ltd; D.A. Spandidos
• Subjects: Antioxidants; Apoptosis; Bladder cancer; Breast cancer; Cancer; Care and treatment; Drug resistance; Enzymes; Esophageal cancer; Free radicals; Liver cancer; Lung cancer; Lymphoma; Mammals; Mesothelioma; Metabolites; Oncology; Organisms; Ovarian cancer; Oxidative stress; Pancreatic cancer; Peroxides; Phylogenetics; Prostate cancer; Reactive oxygen species; Review; Signal transduction; Thyroid gland; Tumors; chemosensitization; chemoresistance; tumorigenesis; peroxiredoxins; oxidative stress
• ISSN: 2049-9450; 2049-9469
• DOI: 10.3892/mco.2017.1129

Peroxiredoxins (PRDXs) are a ubiquitously expressed family of small (22-27 kDa) non-seleno peroxidases that catalyze the peroxide reduction of H O , organic hydroperoxides and peroxynitrite. They are highly involved in the control of various physiological functions, including cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, embryonic development, lipid metabolism, the immune response, as well as cellular homeostasis. Although the protective role of PRDXs in cardiovascular and neurological diseases is well established, their role in cancer remains controversial. Increasing evidence suggests the involvement of PRDXs in carcinogenesis and in the development of drug resistance. Numerous types of cancer cells, in fact, are characterized by an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and often exhibit an altered redox environment compared with normal cells. The present review focuses on the complex association between oxidant balance and cancer, and it provides a brief account of the involvement of PRDXs in tumorigenesis and in the development of chemoresistance.