HAGH, also known as hydroxyacylglutathione hydrolase, encodes glyoxalase 2, an enzyme in the glyoxalase system responsible for detoxifying the α -ketothaldehyde methylglyoxal in cells [2]. This system, along with glyoxalase 1, utilizes glutathione as a cofactor and is crucial for protecting cells from carbonyl stress. HAGH is involved in the oxidative stress pathway and has implications in maintaining cellular homeostasis [1].

In a study on schizophrenia, an association analysis of common genetic variants in HAGH was conducted in a Japanese sample. A SNP (rs11859266) in the intronic region of HAGH showed a nominally significant association with schizophrenia, and two variants (rs11859266 and rs3743852) had significant associations in males, though rs3743852 did not remain significant after multiple testing for the genotype model. However, no changes in HAGH mRNA expression were detected in postmortem brain samples between cases and controls or in sex -specific comparisons [3].

In conclusion, HAGH plays a vital role in the glyoxalase system for detoxifying methylglyoxal and is associated with the oxidative stress pathway. Genetic studies on HAGH, like those in schizophrenia, contribute to understanding its role in disease -related processes, although more research may be needed to fully elucidate its implications in complex diseases.