Gpx2 - glutathione peroxidase 2

The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the glutathione peroxidase family, members of which catalyze the reduction of organic hydroperoxides and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by glutathione, and thereby protect cells against oxidative damage. Several isozymes of this gene family exist in vertebrates, which vary in cellular location and substrate specificity. This isozyme is predominantly expressed in the gastrointestinal tract in rodents, is localized in the cytoplasm, and whose preferred substrate is hydrogen peroxide. Knockout studies in mice lacking this gene suggest a role for this isozyme in intestinal inflammation and colon cancer development. This isozyme is also a selenoprotein, containing the rare amino acid selenocysteine (Sec) at its active site. Sec is encoded by the UGA codon, which normally signals translation termination. The 3' UTRs of selenoprotein mRNAs contain a conserved stem-loop structure, designated the Sec insertion sequence (SECIS) element, that is necessary for the recognition of UGA as a Sec codon, rather than as a stop signal. A pseudogene of this locus has been identified on chromosome 7. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2017]