Expression of Human Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase

Among lipid peroxides and related free radicals in the process of lipid peroxidation, the first stable products, lipid hydroperoxides, are unique from the viewpoint of pathogenicity. Because of their stability, these hydroperoxides can migrate throughout the body via the bloodstream. This disseminates the deleterious effects of these species, resulting in the provocation of secondary disorders of a disease. Accordingly, the elimination of lipid hydroperoxides would contribute to the prevention of lipid peroxide-mediated diseases. For this purpose, enzymatic decomposition of the hydroperoxides would be the most preferable approach. As enzymes capable of decomposing lipid hydroperoxides, at least four types of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) have been reported (1 ); that is, classical GPx; gastrointestinal GPx; plasma GPx; and phospholipid hydroperoxide GPx or monomeric GPx (PHGPx).