Ferredoxin:thioredoxin reductase (FTR) transfers the light-generated redox signal received by the chloroplast [Fe2S2]2+,+ ferredoxin (Fdx) to thioredoxins (Trxs), as part of a redox regulatory system controlling the activity of a wide range of oxygenic photosynthesis enzymes in response to light. The active site consists of a [Fe4S4] cluster and an an adjacent redox-active disulphide. FTR converts two light-generated one-electron signals to one two-electron thiol signal which is then transmitted via dithiol/disulphide interchange reactions to specific enzymes which are critical to the regulation of the Calvin cycle. Phylogenetic analyses of genomic sequences revealed that the catalytic subunit of FTR originated in microaerophilic bacteria where it may have functioned in regulating CO2 fixation. Also, FTR may have been acquired by later-evolving species via horizontal gene transfer. FTR-like enzymes, for example FDR, with structural and functional diversity have evolved to meet ecological needs.
Defined by 7 residues: CYS:A-55CYS:A-57CYS:A-74CYS:A-76CYS:A-85HIS:A-86CYS:A-87