GPX6

Glutathione peroxidase 6 (GPX6) is a member of the glutathione peroxidase family of antioxidant enzymes encoded by the GPX6 gene in humans. Proteins in this family catalyze the reduction of hydrogen peroxide and organic hydroperoxides using reduced glutathione, thereby limiting oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

GPX6 is notable for its tissue-restricted expression pattern; it is most strongly expressed in the olfactory epithelium and is detectable during certain stages of embryonic development, suggesting specialized roles in sensory tissue and development. Like other glutathione peroxidases, GPX6 shares structural homology with family members but exhibits species-specific differences in sequence and active-site composition that affect its biochemical properties.

Functional studies indicate that GPX6 may contribute to local antioxidant defenses in the olfactory system, but its precise physiological substrates and regulatory mechanisms remain under investigation. There are no widely established disease associations for GPX6, and ongoing research aims to clarify its role in olfactory function, development, and response to oxidative stress.

GPX6 is part of a multigene family that arose through gene duplication and diversification; related glutathione peroxidases show overlapping yet distinct expression profiles and substrate specificities, collectively supporting cellular redox homeostasis.