Fluorogenic Probes for Thioredoxin Reductase Activity

Tendai J. Mafireyi, Portland State University
Jorge O. Escobedo, Portland State University
Robert M. Strongin, Portland State University

Abstract

The thioredoxin system is vital in maintaining the cellular redox state and is implicated in various cancers and other diseases. It comprises of thioredoxin reductase, thioredoxin and NADPH. Various methods have been developed for the detection and quantification of the thioredoxin reductase enzyme. Most of these methods suffer the shortfall of poor specificity, hence there is need to develop more robust and specific techniques. Recently, there has been an increased interest in fluorescent probes that can target thioredoxin reductase. This review highlights the progress in the synthesis and application of the different fluorescent probes that have been employed for this purpose.