CPOX, or catalase-peroxidase, is an enzyme found in certain bacteria and plants. It plays a crucial role in breaking down hydrogen peroxide, a harmful byproduct of cellular metabolism, into water and oxygen. This process helps protect cells from oxidative damage. In addition to its protective function, CPOX is involved in the biosynthesis of mycobacterial cell walls. It is particularly important in the survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes tuberculosis. Understanding CPOX can aid in developing treatments for infections caused by this pathogen.