Thioredoxin Domain Containing Protein 5 (TXNDC5)

TXNDC5 encodes a protein-disulfide isomerase. Its expression is induced by hypoxia and its role may be to protect hypoxic cells from apoptosis. This gene can be co-transcribed with the upstream gene MU.

Vitiligo is a pigmentary skin disorder characterized by a chronic and progressive loss of melanocytes. Although the aetiology of vitiligo is currently unknown, several theories have been proposed to explain the pathogenesis of this disease, including autoimmune, neural, self-destruction, oxidative stress, and genetic theories. Thioredoxin domain containing 5 (TXNDC5) is a newly identified member of the thioredoxin family. TXNDC5 has a protein disulphide isomerase-like domain which plays an important role in protein folding and chaperone activity, against endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induced by oxidative stress within the ER.