The glyoxal pathway plays a role in the detoxification of glucose degradation products (GDP). Glyoxalase I (GLO1), a member of the glyoxalase family, is effective in eliminating GDP. Overexpression or silencing of Glyoxalase I in mice brain suggests an association between Glyoxalase I and anxiety. Glyoxalase I has three isoforms generated from two alleles in the genome which forms two homodimers and one heterodimer, each subunit binding one zinc ion. Research demonstrates that GLO1 gene expression is induced in colon carcinoma. Both an insulin response element (IRE), and a zinc metal response element (MRE) in the promoter region of the GLO1 gene have been identified.