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

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.