Introduction. History of the peroxiredoxins and topical perspectives.

We have surveyed the early biochemical, structural and enzymatic studies on the peroxiredoxin family, within the broad context of the other chapters included within this book. Both the antioxidant defence and peroxide-linked cell signalling roles of the peroxiredoxins are introduced. The possible membrane-association of certain peroxiredoxins is assessed and the structural characterization of the peroxiredoxins by electron microscopy is given some emphasis here. The important contribution of X-ray crystallographic studies to the understanding of peroxiredoxin structure is given due attention. Finally, some medical perpectives are introduced, with emphasis upon the understanding of the microbial peroxiredoxins as possible future drug targets.