SGD Paper Help  Sousa Silva M, et al.  (2013) The glyoxalase
pathway: the first hundred years... and beyond. Biochem J
453(1):1-15  Abstract: The discovery of the enzymatic formation
of lactic acid from methylglyoxal dates back to 1913 and was
believed to be associated with one enzyme termed
ketonaldehydemutase or glyoxalase, the latter designation
prevailed. However, in 1951 it was shown that two enzymes were
needed and that glutathione was the required catalytic co-
factor. The concept of a metabolic pathway defined by two
enzymes emerged at this time. Its association to detoxification
and anti-glycation defence are its presently accepted roles,
since methylglyoxal exerts irreversible effects on protein
structure and function, associated with misfolding. This
functional defence role has been the rationale behind the
possible use of the glyoxalase pathway as a therapeutic target,
since its inhibition might lead to an increased methylglyoxal
concentration and cellular damage. However, metabolic pathway
analysi