Main Cellular Redox Couples

Most living cells maintain a continuous flow of electrons, which provides them with energy. Many compounds are present in a cell simultaneously in the oxidized and reduced states in the form of active redox couples. Some of the redox couples, such as NAD+/NADH, NADP+/NADPH, and oxidized/reduced glutathione (GSSG/GSH) are universal, as they are involved in the regulation of many cellular reactions. The ratio of the oxidized and reduced forms of these compounds is the important cellular redox parameter. Modern research approaches allow for revealing new functions of the main redox couples in complicated cellular processes. The review presents the information about the main cellular redox couples and their participation in various biological processes.