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Cells producing their own nemesis: Understanding methylglyoxal metabolism
Author(s) -
Chakraborty Sangeeta,
Karmakar Kapudeep,
Chakravortty Dipshikha
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
iubmb life
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.132
H-Index - 113
eISSN - 1521-6551
pISSN - 1521-6543
DOI - 10.1002/iub.1324
Subject(s) - methylglyoxal , biochemistry , metabolite , chemistry , metabolism , detoxification (alternative medicine) , toxicity , enzyme , biology , medicine , organic chemistry , alternative medicine , pathology
Methylglyoxal, which is technically known as 2‐oxopropanal or pyruvaldehyde, shows typical reactions of carbonyl compounds as it has both an aldehyde and a ketone functional group. It is an extremely cytotoxic physiological metabolite, which is generated by both enzymatic and nonenzymatic reactions. The deleterious nature of the compound is due to its ability to glycate and crosslink macromolecules like protein and DNA, respectively. However, despite having toxic effects on cellular processes, methylglyoxal retains its efficacy as an anticancer drug. Indeed, methylglyoxal is one of the well‐known anticancer therapeutic agents used in the treatment. Several studies on methylglyoxal biology revolve around the manifestations of its inhibitory effects and toxicity in microbial growth and diabetic complications, respectively. Here, we have revisited the chronology of methylglyoxal research with emphasis on metabolism of methylglyoxal and implications of methylglyoxal production or detoxification on bacterial pathogenesis and disease progression. © 2014 IUBMB Life, 66(10):667–678, 2014