即时浸酸显著提高滞育性家蚕卵辅酶Ⅰ和Ⅱ含量

即时浸酸在阻止家蚕Bombyx mori卵滞育发动的同时, 提高了其呼吸耗氧量, 抑制了山梨醇积累。本研究利用HPLC法测定了家蚕滞育卵和5 min即时浸酸滞育性卵中辅酶Ⅰ和Ⅱ含量。结果表明： 产下后24-72 h, 家蚕滞育卵中NAD, NADH, NADP和NADPH含量分别下降了30%, 37%, 50%和4%; 而即时浸酸滞育性卵中分别增加了77%, 46%, 142%和241%。不过, 即时浸酸并未显著改变滞育性家蚕卵中NADH/NAD和NADPH/NADP比值。据此推测, 即时浸酸提高滞育性家蚕卵辅酶Ⅰ含量与其呼吸耗氧量增加有关; 即时浸酸显著提高辅酶Ⅱ含量与山梨醇积累抑制无关, 而主要与生物合成加强有关。     

摄入异烟肼对家蚕幼虫体内谷胱甘肽氧化还原循环和谷胱甘肽S-转移酶活性的影响

为了建立家蚕Bombyx mori的药物筛选和毒性评价模型, 以剂量为2 000 mg/kg的抗结核模药异烟肼饲喂家蚕5龄第3天幼虫后检测其中肠和脂肪体的抗氧化解毒相关代谢的变化。结果表明： 雌蚕中肠组织中, 总谷胱甘肽(GSH+2GSSG)、 还原型谷胱甘肽(reduced glutathione, GSH)和氧化型谷胱甘肽(oxidized glutathione, GSSG)含量均呈现迅速上升再缓慢下降趋势; 谷胱甘肽S 转移酶(glutathione S-transferase, GST)活性升高到较大值后逐渐降低; GSH/GSSG的比值下降表明, 在72 min后中肠组织向氧化态转移。脂肪体组织中, 总谷胱甘肽、 GSH和GSSG含量变化均呈现迅速下降再迅速上升的趋势; GST活性达到最大值后逐渐降低后趋于平稳; GSH/GSSG比值升高表明, 在72 min后脂肪体组织向还原态转移。无论雌蚕还是雄蚕, 总谷胱甘肽、 GSH和GSSG含量以及GST活性均是脂肪体高于中肠。雌蚕的总谷胱甘肽含量、 GSH和GSSG含量高于雄蚕, 但雄蚕的GST活性高于雌性。结果说明, 摄入异烟肼引起了家蚕幼虫体内谷胱甘肽氧化还原状态的改变和酶活性的变化, 在这个过程中脂肪体起主要解毒代谢作用。     

外源一氧化氮供体对NaCl胁迫下多裂骆驼蓬幼苗叶片ASA-GSH循环的影响

研究了外源一氧化氮(NO)供体硝普钠(SNP)对NaCl胁迫下多裂骆驼蓬幼苗抗坏血酸(ASA)-谷胱甘肽(GSH)循环抗氧化系统及H2O2和丙二醛(MDA)含量的影响。结果表明,0.15mmol.L-1SNP能提高300mmol.L-1NaCl胁迫下多裂骆驼蓬幼苗叶片抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)和谷胱甘肽转硫酶(GST)活性,增加还原型抗坏血酸(ASA)和谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量,降低脱氢抗坏血酸(DHA)和氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量,提高ASA/DHA、GSH/GSSG比率,降低H2O2和MDA水平,对单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDAR)和脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)活性无显著影响。NO信号转导途径关键酶鸟苷酸环化酶(GC)抑制剂亚甲基蓝(MB)逆转了SNP对盐胁迫下APX、GR、GST活性和ASA、GSH、DHA,H2O2、MDA含量及ASA/DHA、GSH/GSSG比率的调节效应。由此表明,NO可能通过GC介导的cGMP信号转导参与ASA-GSH循环活性氧清除系统的调节,从而缓解盐胁迫诱导的氧化伤害。     

外源NO对铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环的影响

采用营养液培养方法,研究外源NO对铜胁迫下番茄(Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)幼苗根系抗坏血酸(AsA)-谷胱甘肽(GSH)循环中抗氧化物质和抗氧化酶系的影响.结果表明:外施适量NO(硝普钠)可提高铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系AsA、GSH含量和AsA/DHA(氧化型抗坏血酸)、GSH/GSSG(氧化型谷胱甘肽),降低DHA和GSSG含量.添加100 μmol·L-1 BSO(谷胱甘肽合成酶抑制剂)处理下,外源NO可提高铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系的AsA含量、AsA/DHA及抗坏血酸酶(AAO)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)和脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)比活性,降低DHA、GSH、GSSG含量及抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)比活性;添加250 μmol·L-1 BSO处理下,外源NO提高了铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系的AsA、GSH、GSSG含量、AsA/DHA及APX和GR比活性,降低了DHA含量及AAO、DHAR和MDHAR比活性.说明外源NO影响了铜胁迫下番茄根系的AsA-GSH代谢循环,并通过调节AsA/DHA、GSH/GSSG的变化来减轻氧化胁迫,从而缓解铜胁迫对番茄根系的伤害.     

家蚕胚胎发育中过氧化氢的代谢

过氧化氢（H2O2）是生物体内主要的活性氧来源之一。在超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）等的催化作用下,H2O2被降解,释放出活性氧。所以,生物个体发育过程中体内H2O2、SOD和CAT含量的变化反映着H2O2的代谢水平。另外,家蚕是蚕卵滞育昆虫,实验设计考虑到了滞育前后可能会有的差别。取产后10分钟内的卵为供试材料。采用即时浸酸法解除卵滞育。采用比色法和氧电极法测定并比较家蚕胚胎滞育形成与解除过程中过氧化氢的代谢。结果表明：（1）受精初期最低水平（Fig.2);（2）胚胎发育过程中（即时浸酸除滞有）,H2O2量除168－216h处于低水平外均显著高于滞育卵（Fig.3),SOD活性分别在72h、168h,形成大小两峰,后期显著高于滞育卵（Fig.4),而CAT活性72－192h保持平衡,随后急剧上升,前期显著低于滞育卵,后于滞育卵（Fig.4),而CAT活性72－192h保持平衡,随后急剧上升,前期显著低于滞育卵,后期相反（Fig.5);(3)滞育形成过程中H2O2水平变化平缓（Fig.6),SOD活性前期剧烈活动,但后期保持平稳（Fig.7),CAT活性逐步升高（Fig.8),而浸酸解除滞育过程中H2O2水平显著高于滞育卵（Fig.6),SOD活性前期出现新峰,后期显著升高（Fig.7),CAT活性显著低于滞育卵（Fig.8)。结合他人的研究结果,可以推测：家蚕卵H2O2代谢状况可能在其滞育形成和解除中具有重要意义,或许酯酶A4计器假说与卵孔堵塞说可以通过H2O2而联系起来。     

外源NO对铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系抗坏血酸谷胱甘肽循环的影响

采用营养液培养方法,研究外源NO对铜胁迫下番茄(Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)幼苗根系抗坏血酸(AsA)-谷胱甘肽(GSH)循环中抗氧化物质和抗氧化酶系的影响.结果表明：外施适量NO(硝普钠)可提高铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系AsA、GSH含量和AsA/DHA(氧化型抗坏血酸)、GSH/GSSG(氧化型谷胱甘肽),降低DHA和GSSG含量.添加100 μmol·L^-1 BSO(谷胱甘肽合成酶抑制剂)处理下,外源NO可提高铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系的AsA含量、AsA/DHA及抗坏血酸酶(AAO)、单脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(MDHAR)和脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶(DHAR)比活性,降低DHA、GSH、GSSG含量及抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)比活性;添加250 μmol·L^-1 BSO处理下,外源NO提高了铜胁迫下番茄幼苗根系的AsA、GSH、GSSG含量、AsA/DHA及APX和GR比活性,降低了DHA含量及AAO、DHAR和MDHAR比活性.说明外源NO影响了铜胁迫下番茄根系的AsA-GSH代谢循环,并通过调节AsA/DHA、GSH/GSSG的变化来减轻氧化胁迫,从而缓解铜胁迫对番茄根系的伤害.     

CO2激光处理对干旱胁迫小麦幼苗谷胱甘肽抗氧化酶系统的影响

用CO2激光(波长10600 nm,辐射剂量20.1 mW/mm2)对萌动小麦种子分别辐照0、 1、 3、 5 min, 待其长至12 d时,用10%(W/V)PEG 6000胁迫其幼苗.结果表明:CO2激光处理1、 3、 5 min显著提高了还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量,显著降低了氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)含量(5 min除外),导致GSH/GSSG比率显著上升.3 min激光处理显著提高了干旱胁迫下小麦幼苗叶片谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)和谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶(GST)活性.通过参与降解因干旱胁迫而过量产生的过氧化产物,实现了细胞解毒功能.此外,1 min和3 min激光处理可显著提高干旱胁迫下小麦幼苗抗坏血酸氧化酶(APX)活性和抗坏血酸(AsA)含量,提高了组织内部的抗氧化能力,从而起到保护作用.     

槲皮素调节大鼠肝细胞谷胱甘肽代谢的机制

目的：探讨60 μmol/L槲皮素调节BRL大鼠肝细胞谷胱甘肽（GSH）代谢的可能机制。方法：采用MTT法测定槲皮素对BRL细胞活力的影响;采用试剂盒法检测细胞内GSH和GSSG的含量,以及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）、肝脏谷胱甘肽 S转移酶（GST）、γ-谷氨酰半胱氨酸连接酶（γ-GCL）、谷胱甘肽还原酶（GR）的活性;采用实时荧光定量PCR法检测GSH-Px、GST、γ-GCL和GR基因mRNA的表达情况;采用ELISA法测定细胞内的Keap1、总Nrf2、ERK1/2、磷酸化ERK1/2（p-ERK1/2）、JNK、p-JNK,以及细胞核Nrf2的蛋白水平。结果：槲皮素不影响大鼠肝细胞的活力（P>0.05）;与对照组比较,槲皮素组细胞内还原型GSH含量和GSH/GSSG比值（P<0.05）显著降低（P<0.05）,γ-GCL酶活性显著减弱（P<0.05）,GR和GSH-Px的mRNA表达显著减少（P<0.05）,Keap1和JNK蛋白水平显著降低（P<0.05）。结论：槲皮素可减少BRL大鼠肝细胞还原型GSH的含量,这种作用主要与槲皮素抑制GSH的生成有关。     

外源脯氨酸对盐胁迫下甜瓜幼苗根系抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环的影响

以2个不同耐盐强度的甜瓜品种‘玉皇’（耐盐性强）和‘雪美’（耐盐性弱）为材料,采用营养液栽培方法,研究外源脯氨酸对盐胁迫下甜瓜幼苗根系抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环的影响。结果显示：（1）盐胁迫下,2个甜瓜品种根系内的还原型抗坏血酸（ASA）、还原型谷胱甘肽（GSH）含量降低,氧化型谷胱甘肽（GSSG）含量升高,且‘雪美’变化幅度大于‘玉皇’;（2）盐胁迫下,施用外源脯氨酸提高了2个甜瓜品种根系中ASA和GSH的含量,降低了GSSG含量,同时也提高了GSH/GSSG的比值,且对‘雪美’的作用大于‘玉皇’;（3）盐胁迫处理3 d时,2个甜瓜品种根系的抗坏血酸过氧化物酶（APX）、脱氢抗坏血酸还原酶（DHAR）、谷胱甘肽还原酶（GR）活性均下降,且‘雪美’下降的幅度较大;随着胁迫时间的延长（5 d时）,‘玉皇’幼苗根系内APX、DHAR、GR活性有所上升,‘雪美’根系中这3种酶活性则进一步降低;（4）盐胁迫下,施用外源脯氨酸提高了2个甜瓜品种根系内的APX、DHAR和GR的酶活性,且对‘雪美’的作用大于‘玉皇’。本研究结果表明,外源脯氨酸可以通过增加非酶促抗氧化物质ASA、GSH的含量和抗氧化酶活性,提高抗坏血酸-谷胱甘肽循环清除活性氧的能力,从而缓解盐胁迫对甜瓜植株的伤害。     

家蚕胚胎发育中过氧化氢的代谢(英文)

过氧化氢（Ｈ_２Ｏ_２）是生物体内主要的活性氧来源之一。在超氧化物歧化酶（ＳＯＤ）、过氧化氢酶（ＣＡＴ）等的催化作用下,Ｈ_２Ｏ_２。被降解,释放出活性氧。所以,生物个体发育过程中体内Ｈ_２Ｏ_２、ＳＯＤ和ＣＡＴ含量的变化反映着Ｈ_２Ｏ_２的代谢水平。另外,家蚕是蚕卵滞育昆虫,实验设计考虑到了滞育前后可能会有的差别。取产后１０分钟内的卵为供试材料。采用即时浸酸法解除卵滞育。采用比色法和氧电极法测定并比较家蚕胚胎滞育形成与解除过程中过氧化氢的代谢。结果表明：（１）受精初期（０～４ｈ）,Ｈ_２Ｏ_２含量在２．５ｈ时达到峰值（Ｆｉｇ．１）,相应地ＳＯＤ活性处于较高水平,而ＣＡＴ活性处于最低水平（Ｆｉｇ．２）;（２）胚胎发育过程中（即时浸酸解除滞育）,Ｈ_２Ｏ_２含量除１６８～２１６ｈ处于低水平外均显著高于滞育卵（Ｆｉｇ．３）,ＳＯＤ活性分别在７２ｈ、１６８ｈ,形成小大两峰,后期显著高于滞育卵（Ｆｉｇ．４）,而ＣＡＴ活性７２－１９２ｈ保持平稳,随后急剧上升,前期显著低于滞育卵,后期相反（Ｆｉｇ．５）;（３）滞育形成过程中Ｈ_２Ｏ_２水平变化平缓（Ｆｉｇ．６）,ＳＯＤ活性前期剧烈变动,但后期保持平稳（Ｆｉｇ．７）,ＣＡＴ活性逐步升     

Variation in glutathione status associated with induction and initiation of diapause in eggs of the bivoltine strain of the silkworm Bombyx mori

For the bivoltine (Dazao) strain of the silkworm Bombyx mori L., diapause expression in progeny is induced by exposure to conditions of 25 °C and continuous illumination (LL) during the maternal generation, whereas an environment of 15 °C and constant darkness (DD) results in nondiapause progeny. Initiation of diapause in progeny can be prevented by treatment of diapause‐programmed eggs with hydrochloric acid (HCl) at approximately 24 h post‐oviposition. To investigate whether glutathione is involved in the regulation of diapause induction and initiation in this species, measurements of total glutathione, reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidised glutathione (GSSG), GSH/GSSG ratio, glutathione S‐transferase (GST) and peroxiredoxins (Prdx) are compared in eggs incubated under LL and DD conditions, and between diapause eggs and those treated with HCl. Compared with DD, eggs incubated under LL have higher total glutathione (GSH + 2GSSG), lower GSH, higher GSSG, a lower GSH/GSSG ratio, lower GST activity and higher Prdx activity at stages 20–25 of maternal embryogenesis. The lower ratio of GSH/GSSG is indicative of pro‐oxidative conditions during diapause induction, which may result from the stronger oxidation of GSH. Compared with HCl‐treated eggs, diapause eggs have lower total glutathione, no difference in GSH, lower GSSG, a higher GSH/GSSG ratio, no difference in GST activity and lower Prdx between 36 and 72 h post‐oviposition. The higher ratio GSH/GSSG is indicative of reducing conditions during diapause initiation, which may a result of the weaker oxidation of GSH. Moreover, variations of Prdx and GST suggest that Prdx rather than GST plays an important role in the oxidation of GSH during the induction and initiation of diapause.     

Changes in glutathione redox cycle during diapause determination and termination in the bivoltine silkworm,Bombyx moil

To explore whether glutathione regulates diapause determination and termina tion in the bivoltine silkworm Bombyx mori, we monitored the changes in glutathione redox cycle in the ovary of both diapanse and nondiapauseegg producers, as well as those in dia pause eggs incubated at different temperatures. The activity ofthioredoxin reductase （TrxR） was detected in ovaries but not in eggs, while neither ovaries nor eggs showed activity of glutathione peroxidase. A lower reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione （GSH/GSSG） ratio was observed in the ovary of diapauseegg producers, due to weaker reduction of oxidized glutathione （GSSG） to the reduced glutathione （GSH） catalyzed by glutathione reductase （GR） and TrxR. This indicates an oxidative shift in the glutathione redox cy cle during diapause determination. Compared with the 25℃treated diapause eggs, the 5℃treated diapause eggs showed lower GSH/GSSG ratio, a result of stronger oxidation of GSH catalyzed by thioredoxin peroxidase and weaker reduction of GSSG catalyzed by GR. Our study demonstrated the important regulatory role of glutathione in diapause determination and termination of the bivoltine silkworm.     

Parameters related to oxygen free radicals in erythrocytes,plasma and epidermis of the hairless rat

The following parameters related to oxygen free radicals (OFR) were determined in erythrocytes and the epidermis of hairless rats: catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione, glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). GSH, GSSG and TBARS were also analyzed in plasma. In erythrocytes, the Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were significant (p < 0.001) between glutathione and other parameters as follows: GSH correlated negatively with GSSG (r = -0.665) and TBARS (r = -0.669); GSSG correlated positively with SOD (r = 0.709) and TBARS (r = 0.752). Plasma GSSG correlated negatively with erythrocytic thermostable GST activity (r = -0.608; p=0.001) and with erythrocytic total GST activity (r = -0.677; p < 0.001). In epidermis (p < 0.001 in all cases), GSH content correlated with GSSG (r = 0.682) and with GPx (r = 0.663); GSSG correlated with GPx (r = 0.731) and with GR (r = 0.794). By multiple linear regression analysis some predictor variables (R(2)) were found: in erythrocytes, thermostable GST was predicted by total GST activity and GSSG, GSSG content was predicted by GSH and by the GSH/GSSG ratio and GPx activity was predicted by GST, CAT and SOD activities; in epidermis, GSSG was predicted by GR and SOD activities and GR was predicted by GSSG, TBARS and GPx. It is concluded that the hairless rat is a good model for studying OFR-related parameters simultaneously in blood and skin, and that it may provide valuable information about other animals under oxidative stress.     

A novel RNA helicase-like protein during early embryonic development in silkworm Bombyx mori: molecular characterization and intracellular localization

In order to understand the molecular mechanism of development during early embryogenesis in diapause and non-diapause of the silkworm, mRNA from diapause and non-diapause eggs was compared using the differential display technique. We cloned the full length of a cDNA encoding a novel RNA helicase-like (RHL) protein by the RACE method using a cDNA fragment which was one of the specific cDNAs in the non-diapause eggs. A BLAST search using the predicted amino acid sequence of RHL revealed a low homology (21–25% identity of its partial length) with that of the DEAD-box RNA helicase. Gene expression of the RHL gene of the diapause and non-diapause eggs was investigated by RT-PCR until 60 h after oviposition. Amplified RHL cDNA was observed through all the stages in the non-diapause eggs, while in the diapause eggs, cDNA was found in eggs 0–12 h after oviposition but disappeared 24–60 h after oviposition. When the diapause eggs were activated by HCl treatment after chilling at 4 °C for 6 days from 48 h after oviposition (artificial diapause termination), cDNA was observed from 12 h after HCl treatment. We also investigated the immunohistochemical distribution and localization of RHL in non-diapause eggs using anti-recombinant His-tag RHL antiserum. RHL was distributed in blastoderm cells and yolk cells and was localized in the nucleus and the cytosol of yolk cells. These data suggest that RHL has an important role in the early embryo of the silkworm.     

不同催青方式对二化性家蚕过氧化氢酶基因表达的影响

25℃明催青和15℃暗催青分别诱导二化性家蚕Bombyx mori 产滞育性卵和非滞育性卵。此前我们的研究表明, 上述催青处理的二化性家蚕H₂O₂水平存在显著差异。过氧化氢酶（catalase, CAT）是昆虫清除H₂O₂的关键酶。为了进一步明确家蚕滞育过程中H₂O₂代谢的调控机制, 用RT-PCR测定了上述两种催青处理对二化性家蚕CAT基因表达的影响。结果表明：25℃明催青显著提高了滞育诱导和决定阶段的CAT mRNA 水平和CAT活性。滞育性卵的CAT mRNA水平在产后24 h形成峰值, 在72 h后消失; CAT活性在96 h前上升, 120 h后保持于低水平。非滞育性卵的CAT mRNA水平和CAT活性都随着胚胎发育而上升。可见, 25℃明催青诱导二化性家蚕子代滞育可能是通过影响CAT基因表达来调节H₂O₂水平。     

Efficient strategies for changing the diapause character of silkworm eggs and for the germline transformation of diapause silkworm strains

Abstract To overcome the disadvantages of current silkworm Bombyx mori transgenic technology, such as costly and time‐consuming to maintain non‐diapause transgenic silkworms, we report here on the development of treatments for the germline transformation of diapause silkworm strains. Our results showed that HCl treatment within 3 h of oviposition was able to prevent the diapause of eggs from Japanese lineage diapause silkworm strains and was also suitable for germline transformation of the same strains. By incubating developing mother eggs from Chinese lineage diapause silkworm strains at 15°C (15°C‐IME), we were able to prevent the diapause of their daughter eggs; a similar strategy (15°C‐IMES) for the germline transformation of the same strains was that the mother eggs were incubated at 15°C, and the daughter eggs were then microinjected according to the conventional microinjection methods used for non‐diapause eggs. By combining temperature and light controls, the improved 15°C‐IMES strategy prevented diapause in daughter eggs, and also enabled the germline transformation of both Japanese and Chinese lineage diapause silkworm strains. Although each of the strategies developed here has advantages and disadvantages, we suggest that the 15°C‐IMES strategy is a good reference for the establishment of germline transformation technologies of other egg diapause insects. These new strategies for the efficient germline transformation of diapause silkworm strains are likely to improve the practical use of silkworm transgenic lines in sericulture and also highlight silkworm functional genomics research and its modeling.     

Hepatic response to the oxidative stress induced by E. coli endotoxin: Glutathione as an index of the acute phase during the endotoxic shock

Reactive oxygen species are important mediators of cellular damage during endotoxic shock. In order to investigate the hepatic response to the oxidative stress induced by endotoxin, hepatic and plasma glutathione (total, GSH and GSSG), GSSG/GSH ratio as well as Mn-superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were determined during the acute and recovery phases of reversible endotoxic shock in the rat. A significant increase in liver and plasma total glutathione content was observed 5 h after endotoxin treatment (acute phase), followed by a diminution of these parameters below control values at 48 h (recovery phase). The significant increases of GSSG levels and GSSG/GSH ratio are indicative of oxidative stress occurring during the acute phase. Liver Mn-SOD activity showed a similar time dependency as the GSSG/GSH ratio; however, a marked decrease in the liver catalase activity was observed during the process. These results indicate the participation of liver glutathione in the response to endotoxin and the possible use of plasma glutathione levels and GSSG/GSH ratio as indicators of the acute phase during the endotoxic process. (Mol Cell Biochem 159: 115-121, 1996)     

Glutaredoxin 2 catalyzes the reversible oxidation and glutathionylation of mitochondrial membrane thiol proteins: implications for mitochondrial redox regulation and antioxidant DEFENSE

The redox poise of the mitochondrial glutathione pool is central in the response of mitochondria to oxidative damage and redox signaling, but the mechanisms are uncertain. One possibility is that the oxidation of glutathione (GSH) to glutathione disulfide (GSSG) and the consequent change in the GSH/GSSG ratio causes protein thiols to change their redox state, enabling protein function to respond reversibly to redox signals and oxidative damage. However, little is known about the interplay between the mitochondrial glutathione pool and protein thiols. Therefore we investigated how physiological GSH/GSSG ratios affected the redox state of mitochondrial membrane protein thiols. Exposure to oxidized GSH/GSSG ratios led to the reversible oxidation of reactive protein thiols by thiol-disulfide exchange, the extent of which was dependent on the GSH/GSSG ratio. There was an initial rapid phase of protein thiol oxidation, followed by gradual oxidation over 30 min. A large number of mitochondrial proteins contain reactive thiols and most of these formed intraprotein disulfides upon oxidation by GSSG; however, a small number formed persistent mixed disulfides with glutathione. Both protein disulfide formation and glutathionylation were catalyzed by the mitochondrial thiol transferase glutaredoxin 2 (Grx2), as were protein deglutathionylation and the reduction of protein disulfides by GSH. Complex I was the most prominent protein that was persistently glutathionylated by GSSG in the presence of Grx2. Maintenance of complex I with an oxidized GSH/GSSG ratio led to a dramatic loss of activity, suggesting that oxidation of the mitochondrial glutathione pool may contribute to the selective complex I inactivation seen in Parkinson's disease. Most significantly, Grx2 catalyzed reversible protein glutathionylation/deglutathionylation over a wide range of GSH/GSSG ratios, from the reduced levels accessible under redox signaling to oxidized ratios only found under severe oxidative stress. Our findings indicate that Grx2 plays a central role in the response of mitochondria to both redox signals and oxidative stress by facilitating the interplay between the mitochondrial glutathione pool and protein thiols.