Glyoxalase-I is a 21 kDa isomerase enzyme that catalyzes the formation of S-D-lactoylglutathione from the hemimercaptal adduct formed spontaneously between methylglyoxal and reduced glutathione (GSH) . This reaction is the first step in the glyoxalase pathway, which ultimately converts methylglyoxal into D-lactate, a less harmful compound .
The glyoxalase pathway, which includes Glyoxalase-I and Glyoxalase-II, is evolutionarily conserved and plays a significant role in maintaining cellular homeostasis by detoxifying methylglyoxal . By converting methylglyoxal to D-lactate, Glyoxalase-I helps protect cells from glycation and oxidative stress, which can damage proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids .
Recombinant human Glyoxalase-I is produced using E. coli expression systems. The recombinant protein typically includes an N-terminal Met and a 6-His tag for purification purposes . It is often used in research to study the enzyme’s function, structure, and role in various diseases, including diabetes and cancer .
Recombinant Glyoxalase-I is valuable in biochemical research for several reasons: