Methylglyoxal

• 2- oxopropanal
• Pyruvic

Liquid

1.0455 g · cm -3 ( 20 ° C)

72 ° C.

1.4002 ( 18 ° C)

Attention

-309.1 KJ / mol

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Methylglyoxal, also referred to as 2- oxopropanal is the reduced form of pyruvic acid, and has the molecular formula C3H4O2. It has two carbonyl groups and is equally aldehyde and ketone.

Biological Significance

Organisms in the methylglyoxal often arises as a by- product of metabolic processes, in particular in connection with the glycolysis. It is formed in the non-enzymatic elimination of the phosphate group of the glyceraldehyde -3 -phosphate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate ( DHAP ). Both materials represent intermediates of glycolysis, which ,6- bisphosphate formed during the aldol cleavage of fructose - 1 by the aldolase. However, since the methylglyoxal having a cytotoxic effect, the body has a reduction mechanism, wherein the fuel by the enzymes Glyoxylase I and Glyoxylase II is converted to lactate.

The importance of methylglyoxal for the development of diabetic nerve disease was discovered in 2012. Methylglyoxal binds directly to the pain-conducting nerves and makes them hypersensitive.