Role of glyoxalase 1 in methylglyoxal detoxification-the broad player of psychiatric disorders

Methylglyoxal (MG) is a highly reactive alpha-ketoaldehyde formed endogenously as a byproduct of the glycolytic pathway. To remove MG, various detoxification systems work together in vivo, including the glyoxalase system, which enzymatically degrades MG using glyoxalase 1 (GLO1) and GLO2. Recently, numerous reports have shown that GLO1 expression and MG accumulation in the brain are involved in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety disorder, depression, autism, and schizophrenia. Furthermore, it has been reported that GLO1 inhibitors may be promising drugs for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. In this review, we discuss the recent findings of the effects of altered GLO1 function on mental behavior, especially focusing on results obtained from animal models.

Automated summary

Methylglyoxal (MG) is a reactive alpha-ketoaldehyde produced as a byproduct of the glycolytic pathway. Recent research has shown that the expression of glyoxalase 1 (GLO1) and the accumulation of MG in the brain are related to the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders. Therefore, GLO1 may be a potential target for the treatment of these disorders.