GLRX3

UniProt ID: O76003
Organism: Homo sapiens
Review Status: COMPLETE
Aliases:
Glutaredoxin-3 PICOT PKC-interacting cousin of thioredoxin PKC-theta-interacting protein Thioredoxin-like protein 2 TXNL2
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Gene Description

Glutaredoxin-3 (GLRX3) is a cytosolic [2Fe-2S] iron-sulfur cluster chaperone that coordinates, transports, and delivers iron-sulfur clusters to target proteins in the cytosolic iron-sulfur cluster assembly (CIA) pathway. Despite having thioredoxin-like and glutaredoxin domains, GLRX3 lacks classical oxidoreductase activity. The protein contains an N-terminal thioredoxin-like domain (scaffolding function) and two C-terminal monothiol glutaredoxin domains with CGFS motifs that coordinate [2Fe-2S] clusters. GLRX3 forms homodimeric complexes bridged by [2Fe-2S] clusters, with glutathione serving as an essential cofactor. Key functions include transferring clusters to NUBP1 and other CIA machinery components, forming iron-responsive [2Fe-2S]-bridged complexes with BolA2, and regulating IRP1 iron-sulfur cluster maturation. Under oxidative stress, GLRX3 translocates to the nucleus where it participates in DNA damage response via ATR pathway and epigenetic regulation via PRC2/EED interaction. Essential for embryonic development - knockout is embryonic lethal.

Existing Annotations Review

GO Term Evidence Action Reason
GO:0005829 cytosol
IBA
GO_REF:0000033
ACCEPT
Summary: Cytosol - primary localization of GLRX3 under normal conditions.
Reason: GLRX3 is predominantly cytosolic where it functions as an iron-sulfur cluster chaperone for the CIA pathway.
Supporting Evidence:
file:human/GLRX3/GLRX3-deep-research-perplexity.md
Under normal growth conditions, GLRX3 is predominantly localized to the cytoplasm in a relatively diffuse distribution pattern
file:human/GLRX3/GLRX3-deep-research-falcon.md
See deep research file for comprehensive analysis
GO:0006879 intracellular iron ion homeostasis
IBA
GO_REF:0000033
ACCEPT
Summary: Intracellular iron ion homeostasis - core function of GLRX3.
Reason: GLRX3 is critical for cellular iron homeostasis through regulation of IRP1 iron-sulfur cluster maturation and iron distribution.
Supporting Evidence:
file:human/GLRX3/GLRX3-deep-research-perplexity.md
GLRX3 functions as a critical regulator of cellular iron homeostasis through multiple interconnected mechanisms that collectively ensure appropriate iron acquisition, utilization, and storage
GO:0005634 nucleus
IBA
GO_REF:0000033
ACCEPT
Summary: Nucleus - GLRX3 translocates to nucleus under oxidative stress.
Reason: GLRX3 undergoes stress-induced nuclear translocation where it participates in DNA damage response and epigenetic regulation.
Supporting Evidence:
file:human/GLRX3/GLRX3-deep-research-perplexity.md
upon exposure to oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide or other radical-generating agents, GLRX3 undergoes a reversible and redox-dependent translocation into the nucleus
GO:0005829 cytosol
IEA
GO_REF:0000044
ACCEPT
Summary: Cytosol - primary localization for GLRX3 function.
Reason: GLRX3 is predominantly cytosolic where it functions in iron-sulfur cluster chaperoning.
Supporting Evidence:
file:human/GLRX3/GLRX3-deep-research-perplexity.md
Under normal growth conditions, GLRX3 is predominantly localized to the cytoplasm
GO:0005938 cell cortex
IEA
GO_REF:0000044
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Cell cortex localization - related to PKC-theta interaction at plasma membrane.
Reason: GLRX3 translocates to plasma membrane/immunological synapse with PKC-theta upon T cell activation. Not a core localization but reflects specific signaling context.
Supporting Evidence:
file:human/GLRX3/GLRX3-deep-research-perplexity.md
Upon activation of T cells through antigen receptor engagement, GLRX3 and PKCθ translocate together to the plasma membrane region extending into the immunological synapse
IEA
GO_REF:0000044
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Z disc localization - likely related to cardiac function.
Reason: GLRX3/PICOT has documented roles in cardiac function. Z disc localization is tissue-specific in cardiac muscle, not core function.
Supporting Evidence:
file:human/GLRX3/GLRX3-deep-research-perplexity.md
PICOT attenuates cardiac hypertrophy by disrupting calcineurin-NFAT signaling
GO:0046872 metal ion binding
IEA
GO_REF:0000043
MODIFY
Summary: Metal ion binding - GLRX3 coordinates iron within [2Fe-2S] clusters.
Reason: More specifically, GLRX3 binds iron-sulfur clusters. The term GO:0051536 (iron-sulfur cluster binding) is more accurate.
Proposed replacements: iron-sulfur cluster binding
Supporting Evidence:
file:human/GLRX3/GLRX3-deep-research-perplexity.md
Human GLRX3 specifically functions as a [2Fe-2S] cluster chaperone, capable of binding two iron atoms coordinated with two sulfide atoms
GO:0051536 iron-sulfur cluster binding
IEA
GO_REF:0000043
ACCEPT
Summary: Iron-sulfur cluster binding - core molecular function of GLRX3.
Reason: GLRX3 coordinates [2Fe-2S] clusters through its CGFS motifs for chaperoning to CIA pathway targets.
Supporting Evidence:
file:human/GLRX3/GLRX3-deep-research-perplexity.md
Each Grx domain possesses a CGFS active site motif where the conserved cysteine residue serves as a critical ligand for iron-sulfur cluster coordination
GO:0005080 protein kinase C binding
IEA
GO_REF:0000107
ACCEPT
Summary: Protein kinase C binding - original discovery of GLRX3 as PKC-theta interactor.
Reason: GLRX3 was originally discovered as PICOT (PKC-interacting cousin of thioredoxin) through its interaction with PKC-theta regulatory domain.
Supporting Evidence:
file:human/GLRX3/GLRX3-deep-research-perplexity.md
The original discovery of GLRX3 identified its interaction with protein kinase C-theta (PKCθ), and subsequent studies have established that GLRX3 binds to the regulatory domain of PKCθ
GO:0030425 dendrite
IEA
GO_REF:0000107
UNDECIDED
Summary: Dendrite localization - inferred from ortholog but limited evidence.
Reason: Limited direct evidence for GLRX3 localization to dendrites in humans. May be inferred from orthologs but not a core function.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:10636891
Inhibition of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase/AP-1 and NF-kappaB...
MODIFY
Summary: Original discovery paper showing GLRX3/PICOT interaction with PKC-theta.
Reason: This study identified GLRX3 as PKC-theta interactor. More specific term GO:0005080 (protein kinase C binding) is appropriate.
Proposed replacements: protein kinase C binding
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:10636891
We report the isolation and characterization of a cDNA encoding a novel 335-amino acid (37. 5-kDa) PKCtheta-interacting protein termed PICOT (for PKC-interacting cousin of thioredoxin). PICOT is expressed in various tissues, including in T cells, where it colocalizes with PKCtheta.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:16189514
Towards a proteome-scale map of the human protein-protein in...
REMOVE
Summary: High-throughput interactome mapping - uninformative generic annotation.
Reason: Per curation guidelines, generic "protein binding" is uninformative and should be avoided. Large-scale interactome study without mechanistic insight.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:16189514
Using a stringent, high-throughput yeast two-hybrid system, we tested pairwise interactions among the products of approximately 8,100 currently available Gateway-cloned open reading frames and detected approximately 2,800 interactions.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:17353931
Large-scale mapping of human protein-protein interactions by...
REMOVE
Summary: Mass spectrometry-based interactome mapping - uninformative generic annotation.
Reason: Per curation guidelines, generic "protein binding" is uninformative. High-throughput study without specific mechanistic context for GLRX3.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:17353931
Here, we report the first large-scale study of protein-protein interactions in human cells using a mass spectrometry-based approach.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:21516116
Next-generation sequencing to generate interactome datasets.
REMOVE
Summary: Next-generation sequencing interactome study - uninformative generic annotation.
Reason: Per curation guidelines, generic "protein binding" is uninformative. High-throughput methodology without mechanistic insight.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:21516116
We describe a massively parallel interactome-mapping pipeline, Stitch-seq, that combines PCR stitching with next-generation sequencing and used it to generate a new human interactome dataset.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:25416956
A proteome-scale map of the human interactome network.
REMOVE
Summary: Proteome-scale interactome mapping - uninformative generic annotation.
Reason: Per curation guidelines, generic "protein binding" is uninformative. High-throughput study without specific functional context.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:25416956
Here, we describe a systematic map of ?14,000 high-quality human binary protein-protein interactions.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:25910212
Widespread macromolecular interaction perturbations in human...
REMOVE
Summary: Study on interaction perturbations in genetic disorders - uninformative generic annotation.
Reason: Per curation guidelines, generic "protein binding" is uninformative without identifying specific binding partner function.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:25910212
Here we functionally profile several thousand missense mutations across a spectrum of Mendelian disorders using various interaction assays.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:26302480
N-terminal domains mediate [2Fe-2S] cluster transfer from gl...
MODIFY
Summary: Study on iron-sulfur cluster transfer from GLRX3 to anamorsin - mechanistically relevant.
Reason: This study describes specific GLRX3-anamorsin interaction for [2Fe-2S] cluster transfer. Should be annotated with iron-sulfur cluster transfer activity or iron-sulfur cluster assembly complex.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:26302480
We define a new role of human cytosolic monothiol glutaredoxin-3 (GRX3) in transferring its [2Fe-2S] clusters to human anamorsin, a physical and functional protein partner of GRX3 in the cytosol, whose [2Fe-2S] cluster-bound form is involved in the biogenesis of cytosolic and nuclear Fe-S proteins.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:26871637
Widespread Expansion of Protein Interaction Capabilities by ...
REMOVE
Summary: Alternative splicing and protein interactions - uninformative generic annotation.
Reason: Per curation guidelines, generic "protein binding" is uninformative without specific functional context.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:26871637
We have applied this strategy to the study of binary protein-protein interactions (PPIs) and identified widespread interaction differences due to alternative splicing ( Figure 1A )
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:27107012
Pooled-matrix protein interaction screens using Barcode Fusi...
REMOVE
Summary: Barcode fusion genetics interactome screen - uninformative generic annotation.
Reason: Per curation guidelines, generic "protein binding" is uninformative. High-throughput screening method without mechanistic insight.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:27107012
Here, we report Barcode Fusion Genetics-Yeast Two-Hybrid (BFG-Y2H), by which a full matrix of protein pairs can be screened in a single multiplexed strain pool.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:27107014
An inter-species protein-protein interaction network across ...
REMOVE
Summary: Cross-species interactome study - uninformative generic annotation.
Reason: Per curation guidelines, generic "protein binding" is uninformative. Comparative study without specific mechanistic context.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:27107014
We systematically probed the yeast and human proteomes for interactions between proteins from these two species and functionally characterized the resulting inter-interactome network.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:27519415
A Glutaredoxin·BolA Complex Serves as an Iron-Sulfur Cluster...
MODIFY
Summary: Key study on GLRX3-BolA complex as iron-sulfur cluster chaperone - mechanistically relevant.
Reason: This is a key mechanistic paper showing GLRX3-BolA2 [2Fe-2S]-bridged complex function. Should be annotated with iron-sulfur cluster assembly complex.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:27519415
We characterize cytosolic Glrx3·BolA2 as a [2Fe-2S] chaperone complex in human cells.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:28514442
Architecture of the human interactome defines protein commun...
REMOVE
Summary: Interactome architecture study - uninformative generic annotation.
Reason: Per curation guidelines, generic "protein binding" is uninformative. High-throughput study without specific functional context.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:28514442
Here we present BioPlex 2.0 (Biophysical Interactions of ORFeome-derived complexes), which uses robust affinity purification-mass spectrometry methodology to elucidate protein interaction networks and co-complexes nucleated by more than 25% of protein-coding genes from the human genome
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:29892012
An interactome perturbation framework prioritizes damaging m...
REMOVE
Summary: Interactome perturbation study for developmental disorders - uninformative generic annotation.
Reason: Per curation guidelines, generic "protein binding" is uninformative without specific binding partner function.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:29892012
Here we establish an experimentally and computationally integrated approach to investigate the functional impact of missense mutations in the context of the human interactome network
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:31515488
Extensive disruption of protein interactions by genetic vari...
REMOVE
Summary: Study on genetic variants disrupting protein interactions - uninformative generic annotation.
Reason: Per curation guidelines, generic "protein binding" is uninformative without identifying specific binding partner function.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:31515488
we leveraged the ExAC dataset of coding variants from 60,706 human exomes9 to systematically evaluate the impact of 2009 missense SNVs
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:32296183
A reference map of the human binary protein interactome.
REMOVE
Summary: Reference binary protein interactome map - uninformative generic annotation.
Reason: Per curation guidelines, generic "protein binding" is uninformative. Large-scale interactome study without mechanistic insight for GLRX3.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:32296183
Here we present a human 'all-by-all' reference interactome map of human binary protein interactions, or 'HuRI'. With approximately 53,000 protein-protein interactions
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:33961781
Dual proteome-scale networks reveal cell-specific remodeling...
REMOVE
Summary: Dual proteome-scale interactome study - uninformative generic annotation.
Reason: Per curation guidelines, generic "protein binding" is uninformative. High-throughput study without specific mechanistic context.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:33961781
Through affinity-purification mass spectrometry, we have created two proteome-scale, cell-line-specific interaction networks.
GO:0042802 identical protein binding
IPI
PMID:25416956
A proteome-scale map of the human interactome network.
ACCEPT
Summary: Self-association (homodimerization) from large-scale interactome study.
Reason: GLRX3 forms homodimers bridged by [2Fe-2S] clusters. Self-association is functionally relevant for cluster coordination.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:25416956
Here, we describe a systematic map of ?14,000 high-quality human binary protein-protein interactions.
GO:0042802 identical protein binding
IPI
PMID:26302480
N-terminal domains mediate [2Fe-2S] cluster transfer from gl...
ACCEPT
Summary: Homodimerization for iron-sulfur cluster transfer function.
Reason: GLRX3 homodimerization is essential for [2Fe-2S] cluster bridging and subsequent transfer to target proteins like anamorsin.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:26302480
We define a new role of human cytosolic monothiol glutaredoxin-3 (GRX3) in transferring its [2Fe-2S] clusters to human anamorsin, a physical and functional protein partner of GRX3 in the cytosol
GO:0042802 identical protein binding
IPI
PMID:27519415
A Glutaredoxin·BolA Complex Serves as an Iron-Sulfur Cluster...
ACCEPT
Summary: Homodimerization documented in key mechanistic study of GLRX3-BolA complex.
Reason: GLRX3 homodimerization is critical for its iron-sulfur cluster chaperoning function.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:27519415
We characterize cytosolic Glrx3·BolA2 as a [2Fe-2S] chaperone complex in human cells.
GO:0005634 nucleus
NAS
PMID:32910989
Iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis, trafficking, and signaling: ...
ACCEPT
Summary: Nuclear localization from review on iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis and signaling.
Reason: GLRX3 translocates to nucleus under oxidative stress for DNA damage response and epigenetic regulation.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:32910989
The synthesis and trafficking of iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes requires coordination within an expanding network of proteins that function in the cytosol, nucleus, mitochondria, and chloroplasts
GO:0005737 cytoplasm
NAS
PMID:32910989
Iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis, trafficking, and signaling: ...
ACCEPT
Summary: Cytoplasm localization from review article.
Reason: GLRX3 is predominantly cytoplasmic under normal conditions where it functions in iron-sulfur cluster chaperoning.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:32910989
The synthesis and trafficking of iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes requires coordination within an expanding network of proteins that function in the cytosol, nucleus, mitochondria, and chloroplasts
GO:0006879 intracellular iron ion homeostasis
IDA
PMID:27519415
A Glutaredoxin·BolA Complex Serves as an Iron-Sulfur Cluster...
ACCEPT
Summary: Direct assay demonstrating GLRX3 role in intracellular iron homeostasis.
Reason: PMID:27519415 demonstrated GLRX3 function in cellular iron homeostasis through IRP1 regulation and iron-sulfur cluster distribution.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:27519415
We characterize cytosolic Glrx3·BolA2 as a [2Fe-2S] chaperone complex in human cells.
GO:0016226 iron-sulfur cluster assembly
IDA
PMID:27519415
A Glutaredoxin·BolA Complex Serves as an Iron-Sulfur Cluster...
ACCEPT
Summary: Direct assay demonstrating GLRX3 role in iron-sulfur cluster assembly.
Reason: Core function of GLRX3. It chaperones [2Fe-2S] clusters to CIA pathway components for cytosolic iron-sulfur protein maturation.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:27519415
We characterize cytosolic Glrx3·BolA2 as a [2Fe-2S] chaperone complex in human cells.
GO:0045454 cell redox homeostasis
IDA
PMID:27519415
A Glutaredoxin·BolA Complex Serves as an Iron-Sulfur Cluster...
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Role in cell redox homeostasis through glutathione-dependent mechanisms.
Reason: While GLRX3 has glutaredoxin domains, it lacks classical oxidoreductase activity. Redox homeostasis role may be indirect through iron-sulfur cluster-dependent processes rather than direct oxidoreductase function.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:27519415
We characterize cytosolic Glrx3·BolA2 as a [2Fe-2S] chaperone complex in human cells.
GO:1990229 iron-sulfur cluster assembly complex
IPI
PMID:22309771
Human glutaredoxin 3 forms [2Fe-2S]-bridged complexes with h...
ACCEPT
Summary: GLRX3 forms [2Fe-2S]-bridged complex with BolA2 protein.
Reason: PMID:22309771 demonstrated that human GLRX3 forms [2Fe-2S]-bridged complexes with BolA2, functioning as part of CIA machinery.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:22309771
Herein we provide biophysical and biochemical evidence that the two tandem Grx-like domains in human Glrx3 form similar [2Fe-2S]-bridged complexes with human BolA2.
GO:0044571 [2Fe-2S] cluster assembly
IDA
PMID:27519415
A Glutaredoxin·BolA Complex Serves as an Iron-Sulfur Cluster...
ACCEPT
Summary: Direct role in [2Fe-2S] cluster assembly for CIA pathway.
Reason: Core molecular function. GLRX3 coordinates and delivers [2Fe-2S] clusters to target proteins in the cytosolic iron-sulfur cluster assembly pathway.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:27519415
We characterize cytosolic Glrx3·BolA2 as a [2Fe-2S] chaperone complex in human cells.
GO:0005515 protein binding
IPI
PMID:15846844
Proteomic profiling of cellular proteins interacting with th...
REMOVE
Summary: Study on HCV core protein interactions - uninformative generic annotation.
Reason: Per curation guidelines, generic "protein binding" is uninformative. Study focused on viral protein interactions without specific mechanistic insight for GLRX3 function.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:15846844
To gain insights into cellular functions of the core protein by identification of cellular proteins interacting with the core protein, we employed a proteomic approach.
GO:0003723 RNA binding
HDA
PMID:22658674
Insights into RNA biology from an atlas of mammalian mRNA-bi...
UNDECIDED
Summary: RNA binding from mRNA-binding protein atlas study.
Reason: High-throughput study identified GLRX3 as mRNA-binding protein. Unclear if this reflects true function or technical artifact. Not consistent with known iron-sulfur cluster chaperone function.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:22658674
We identify 860 proteins that qualify as RBPs by biochemical and statistical criteria, adding more than 300 RBPs to those previously known
GO:0002026 regulation of the force of heart contraction
ISS
GO_REF:0000024
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Cardiac function regulation inferred from orthologs.
Reason: GLRX3/PICOT has documented roles in cardiac function (attenuating hypertrophy). This represents tissue-specific function rather than core molecular activity.
GO:0002026 regulation of the force of heart contraction
ISS
PMID:18258855
PICOT attenuates cardiac hypertrophy by disrupting calcineur...
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Cardiac function from study on PICOT/calcineurin-NFAT signaling.
Reason: PMID:18258855 demonstrated PICOT attenuates cardiac hypertrophy. Tissue-specific function rather than core molecular activity.
Supporting Evidence:
PMID:18258855
PICOT (protein kinase C-interacting cousin of thioredoxin) was previously shown to inhibit pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy, concomitant with an increase in ventricular function and cardiomyocyte contractility.
GO:0010614 negative regulation of cardiac muscle hypertrophy
ISS
GO_REF:0000024
KEEP AS NON CORE
Summary: Negative regulation of cardiac hypertrophy inferred from orthologs.
Reason: Well-documented tissue-specific function of GLRX3/PICOT in cardiac muscle. Not core molecular function but represents important physiological role.

Core Functions

Functions as a [2Fe-2S] iron-sulfur cluster chaperone that coordinates, transports, and delivers clusters to target proteins in the cytosolic iron-sulfur cluster assembly (CIA) pathway

Supporting Evidence:
  • file:human/GLRX3/GLRX3-deep-research-perplexity.md
    The primary biochemical function of GLRX3 centers on its capacity to coordinate, transport, and deliver iron-sulfur clusters to target apoproteins, a function that positions this protein at the interface between mitochondrial iron-sulfur cluster synthesis and cytoplasmic protein maturation
  • file:human/GLRX3/GLRX3-deep-research-perplexity.md
    Human GLRX3 specifically functions as a [2Fe-2S] cluster chaperone, capable of binding two iron atoms coordinated with two sulfide atoms through interactions with glutathione, cysteine residues within the CGFS motifs, and histidine residues from partner proteins

Forms [2Fe-2S]-bridged heterocomplexes with BolA2 that serve as iron-responsive storage and distribution centers for cellular iron-sulfur clusters

Supporting Evidence:
  • file:human/GLRX3/GLRX3-deep-research-perplexity.md
    GLRX3 specifically collaborates with the BolA2 protein to form [2Fe-2S]-cluster-bridged heterocomplexes in human cells, representing a heterocomplex that responds dynamically to cellular iron availability and serves as a rapidly expandable pool of iron-sulfur clusters

References

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Deep Research

Falcon

(GLRX3-deep-research-falcon.md)

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Perplexity

(GLRX3-deep-research-perplexity.md)

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