Function
Thiol-specific peroxidase that catalyzes the reduction of hydrogen peroxide and organic hydroperoxides to water and alcohols, respectively. Plays a role in cell protection against oxidative stress by detoxifying peroxides and as sensor of hydrogen peroxide-mediated signaling events (PubMed:2895105, PubMed:7961686, PubMed:10681558, PubMed:15210711, PubMed:19106090). Protects the cell against the oxidative stress caused by nascent-protein misfolding and aggregation (PubMed:24424024). Relays hydrogen peroxide as a signal to the transcription factor YAP1 by inducing the formation of intramolecular disulfide bonds in YAP1, which causes its nuclear accumulation and activation (PubMed:15706081, PubMed:19106090). Can act alternatively as peroxidase and molecular chaperone. Oxidative stress and heat shock exposure cause a reversible shift of the protein structure from low MW species to high MW complexes, triggering a peroxidase-to-chaperone functional switch. The chaperone function of the protein enhances resistance to heat shock (PubMed:15163410).