Peroxiredoxins—The Underrated Actors during Virus-Induced Oxidative Stress

Enhanced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) triggered by various stimuli, including viral infections, has attributed much attention in the past years. It has been shown that different viruses that cause acute or chronic diseases induce oxidative stress in infected cells and dysregulate antioxidant its antioxidant capacity. However, most studies focused on catalase and superoxide dismutases, whereas a family of peroxiredoxins (Prdx), the most effective peroxide scavengers, were given little or no attention. In the current review, we demonstrate that peroxiredoxins scavenge hydrogen and organic peroxides at their physiological concentrations at various cell compartments, unlike many other antioxidant enzymes, and discuss their recycling. We also provide data on the regulation of their expression by various transcription factors, as they can be compared with the imprint of viruses on transcriptional machinery. Next, we discuss the involvement of peroxiredoxins in transferring signals from ROS on specific proteins by promoting the oxidation of target cysteine groups, as well as briefly demonstrate evidence of nonenzymatic, chaperone, functions of Prdx. Finally, we give an account of the current state of research of peroxiredoxins for various viruses. These data clearly show that Prdx have not been given proper attention despite all the achievements in general redox biology.