Glrx2, encoding mitochondrial glutaredoxin2 (Grx2), is a crucial redox regulator in mammalian organs [1,2,3,4]. It participates in thiol-dependent redox systems, and is involved in multiple biological pathways such as Nrf2-mediated antioxidant response [1]. Glrx2 is of great biological importance in maintaining cellular redox balance, which is essential for normal cell function and protection against oxidative stress. Genetic models, especially gene knockout mouse models, are valuable tools for studying its functions.

In a Glrx2 knockout mouse model, Glrx2 deletion sensitized mice to acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. It hindered Nrf2-mediated compensatory recovery of thiol-dependent redox systems, leading to a more oxidized cellular state, decreased GSH level, and enhanced oxidative damage via the AIF pathway [1]. In contrast, in male mice, ablation of Glrx2 protected against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by enhancing mitochondrial redox buffering capacity, as seen by reduced hydrogen peroxide production and malondialdehyde levels, and increased activities of glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin reductase [2].

In conclusion, Glrx2 plays a vital role in maintaining cellular redox balance. Gene knockout mouse models have revealed its significance in disease areas such as hepatotoxicity and NAFLD. These studies enhance our understanding of Glrx2's functions and provide potential insights for disease-targeted interventions.

References:

1. Li, Jing, Tang, Xuewen, Wen, Xing, Du, Yatao, Lu, Jun. 2022. Mitochondrial Glrx2 Knockout Augments Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice. In Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 11, . doi:10.3390/antiox11091643. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36139718/

2. Grayson, Cathryn, Chalifoux, Olivia, Russo, Mariana De Sa Tavares, Agellon, Luis B, Mailloux, Ryan J. 2024. Ablating the glutaredoxin-2 (Glrx2) gene protects male mice against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by limiting oxidative distress. In Free radical biology & medicine, 224, 660-677. doi:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2024.09.016. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39278573/

3. Nagy, Norbert, Malik, Gautam, Tosaki, Arpad, Maulik, Nilanjana, Das, Dipak K. 2007. Overexpression of glutaredoxin-2 reduces myocardial cell death by preventing both apoptosis and necrosis. In Journal of molecular and cellular cardiology, 44, 252-60. doi:. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18076901/

4. Diotte, Nicole M, Xiong, Ye, Gao, Jinping, Chua, Balvin H L, Ho, Ye-Shih. 2008. Attenuation of doxorubicin-induced cardiac injury by mitochondrial glutaredoxin 2. In Biochimica et biophysica acta, 1793, 427-38. doi:10.1016/j.bbamcr.2008.10.014. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19038292/