Molecular and functional characterization of the thioredoxin/thioredoxin interacting protein complex

当我们体内的细胞使用氧气时，它们自然会产生非常活跃的分子，即所谓的“自由基”，这会对身体造成损害。然而，细胞通过其他被称为“自由基清除剂”的分子来保护自己免受自由基的伤害。这些清道夫将危险的自由基分子转化为活性较低的分子，不再对细胞造成伤害。一种在植物和动物中都很常见的自由基清除剂是一种非常小的蛋白质，称为硫氧还蛋白。然而，硫氧还蛋白并不是单独作用的，它必须与其他蛋白质接触才能清除自由基。其中一种蛋白质叫做硫氧还蛋白相互作用蛋白(TXNIP)。硫氧还蛋白和TXNIP在细胞内相互作用，形成所谓的二聚体(意味着两种蛋白质相互作用)。然而，很可能其他蛋白质也与硫氧还蛋白和TXNIP相互作用，硫氧还蛋白和TXNIP形成由许多蛋白质组成的更大的蛋白质复合体的一部分。到目前为止，人们所知的这种复合体中的蛋白质很少。因此，我的研究计划的目的是寻找硫氧还蛋白/TXNIP复合体的一部分。我们希望找到几个蛋白质是这个复合体的一部分，并与硫氧还蛋白和/或TXNIP接触。了解这种复合体的组成将有助于我们了解植物和动物如何保护自己免受自由基的伤害。

When the cells in our body use oxygen, they naturally produce very reactive molecules known as "free radicals" which can damage the body. However, cells protect themselves from free radical damage using other molecules known as "free radical scavengers". These scavengers convert the dangerous free radicals molecules into less reactive molecules that no longer harm the cell. One free radical scavenger that is common in both plants and animals is a very small protein known as Thioredoxin. However, Thioredoxin does not act alone, but must make contact with other proteins to scavenge free radicals. One of these other proteins is called Thioredoxin Interacting Protein (Txnip). Thioredoxin and Txnip interact in the cell and form what is called a dimer (meaning two proteins interact). However, it is very likely that other proteins also interact with Thioredoxin and Txnip, and that Thioredoxin and Txnip form part of a larger protein complex made up of many proteins. So far, very few proteins are known that are part of this complex. Therefore, the purpose of my research program is to find the proteins which are part of the Thioredoxin/Txnip complex. We expect to find several proteins that are part of this complex and that make contact with Thioredoxin and/or Txnip. Knowing what makes up this complex will help us to understand how plants and animals protect themselves against damage from free radicals.