Glyoxalase

/ɡlaɪˈɒksəˌleɪs/ noun

Definition

An enzyme that breaks down glyoxal and related toxic compounds in cells, protecting them from oxidative damage.

Etymology

From 'glyoxal' + '-ase' (enzyme suffix). The enzyme was discovered in the early 1900s when biochemists noticed cells could neutralize glyoxal.

Kelly Says

Glyoxalase is your cells' cleanup crew for glyoxal—and it's so important that scientists study it to understand aging, since glyoxal accumulation damages proteins and is thought to contribute to age-related diseases.

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