Comparative genomics analysis of Mycobacterium NrdH-redoxins.

NrdH is one of the intracellular redoxins exist in Mycobacterium and other microorganisms lacking the common glutathione system. NrdH seems a chimeric protein of glutaredoxin amino acid sequence and thioredoxin activity. It serves as a hydrogen donor for ribonucleotide reductase. Mycobacterium tuberculosis might take advantage of this enzyme to persist in the highly oxidized host mononuclear phagocytes and maintain the balance of intracellular redox potential. Physiological role of NrdH and comparison of its genomic context organization were summarized here. The most intriguing feature might be its new drug targets potential.