TrxR1 (TXNRD1) is a cytosolic, FAD-containing selenoenzyme that reduces thioredoxin and supports cellular redox homeostasis, growth, and differentiation
[1][2]. Mechanistically, TrxR1 connects NADPH-dependent thioredoxin reduction with antioxidant defense, including ubiquinone reduction and regulation of the Nrf2-Keap1 stress-response system
[2][3]. In developmental models, Txnrd1 loss shows that cytoplasmic thioredoxin reductase is essential for embryogenesis in most developing tissues, supporting its value in genetic redox-biology studies
[4]. In cancer models, TXNRD1 inhibition induces oxidative stress in hepatocellular carcinoma and promotes ferroptosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with NRF2 activation and poor anti-PD-1 response
[5][6]. Compared with mitochondrial TrxR2, cytosolic TrxR1 shows distinct substrate and metal-inhibitor specificities, including efficient reduction of both Trx1 and Trx2, which supports isoform-focused experimental design
[7]. For applications, irreversible TrxR1 inhibitors such as TRi-1 enable selective cytosolic TXNRD1 targeting, while RX1 provides a cellular probe for TrxR1 activity and inhibitor screening
[8][9].