We isolated and sequenced a human retina cDNA fragment that encodes 25 kDa thiol peroxidase. A search of a databank showed that the 25 kDa thiol peroxidase from retina is the same type of thiol peroxidase which exists in human brain and red blood cells. This type of tbiol peroxidase was distributed in all of the tested tissues including retina. This result suggests a physiological role for the 25 kDa thiol peroxidase as an important antioxidant.