Thioredoxins in bacteria: functions in oxidative stress response and regulation of thioredoxin genes

Thioredoxins fulfill a number of different important cellular functions in all living organisms. In bacteria, thioredoxin genes are often regulated by external factors. In turn, thioredoxins influence the expression of many other genes. The multiple and important functions of thioredoxins in cells necessitate to appropriately adjust their level. This review outlines different strategies that have evolved for the regulation of bacterial thioredoxin genes. It also summarizes effects of thioredoxins on gene regulation and presents a recent model for a redox-dependent gene regulation that is mediated by thioredoxins.