Methylglyoxal, also known as pyruvaldehyde, is a cytotoxic compound derived from pyruvic acid. In E. coli, there are at least eight pathways that are responsible for the detoxification of methylglyoxal. The first reaction in this pathway is the reversible reduction of pyruvaldehyde to hydroxyacetone, along with the cofactor NADPH, catalyzed by an uncharacterized protein encoded by the yghZ gene, now known to be L-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate reductase. Following this, hydroxyacetone is oxidized into (S)-propane-1,2-diol by the glycerol dehydrogenase enzyme, using NAD as a cofactor. Finally, (S)-propane-1,2-diol is transported into the periplasmic space.

Methylglyoxal Degradation III References