MSRA polyclonal antibody

Protein-bound methionine residues are among the most susceptible to oxidative stress by biological reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as H2O2, hydroxyl radicals and superoxide ions, which result in the formation of methionine sulfoxide, or Met(O). Methionine sulfoxide reductase (MsrA) is an enzyme that catalyzes the thioredoxin-dependent reduction of Met(O) residues in proteins and in methyl sulfoxide compounds. MsrA is a ubiquitously expressed protein which is found in organisms from yeast to man. Mammalian MsrA is most highly expressed in liver, kidney, macrophages, neutrophils, cerebellum and brain neurons. Oxidation of proteins by ROS is associated with oxidative stress and age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Recombinant mammalian MsrA retains enzymatic activity, and overexpression of the protein in yeast and human T cells increases their resistance to oxidative stress. Furthermore, MsrA activity decreases in all regions of the Alzheimer’s disease brain. These findings indicate that MsrA plays an important role in protecting cells against oxidative damage and early cell death.