The Redox System in C. elegans, a Phylogenetic Approach

Figure 2

Cartoon of protein with redox-sensitive thiol switch. Structural disulfides can be seen on the inside of this protein, protected from redox reactions (those attached to the green and blue segments). A redox-sensitive thiol/disulfide switch is depicted on the protein surface (attached to the red segment). When reduced the redox-sensitive switch is in its dithiol state, however, when these thiols become oxidised (i.e., electrons are removed by an oxidant such as ROS) they bond to form a disulfide, altering the structure and/or function of the protein.