[Role of glyoxalases and methylglyoxal in cell proliferation and differentiation]

D Piskorska 1 , R Grabowska-Bochenek

1. Katedra i Zakład Biochemii i Chemii Slaaskiej Akademii Medycznej w Katowicach.

Published:

GICID: 01.3001.0000.3045

Available language versions: en pl

Issue: Postepy Hig Med Dosw 1995; 49 (3)

Abstract

The glyoxalase system catalyses the conversion of methylglyoxal (and other 2-ketoaldehydes) to D-lactic acid via the intermediate S-D-lactoylglutathione. It comprises two enzymes, glyoxalases I and glyoxalases II, and catalytic amount to reduced glutathione. Methylglyoxal inhibits cell growth, while the glyoxalase system by breaking down methylglyoxal may act as a promoter of cell growth. Inhibitors of glyoxalases may serve as possible therapeutic agents against cancer by virtue of their ability to elevate the level of methylglyoxal in the body.

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