Glyoxalase I (GLO1), glyoxalase II (GLO2), and reduced glutathione (GSH). In bacteria, there is an additional enzyme that functions if there is no GSH, it is called the third glyoxalase protein, glyoxalase 3 (GLO3). GLO3 has not been found in humans yet.
The pathway begins with methylglyoxal (MG), which is produced from non-enzymatic reactions with DHAP or G3P produced in glycolysis. Methylglyoxal is then converted into S-d-lactoylglutathione by enzyme GLO1 with a catalytic amount of GSH, of which is hydrolyzed into non-toxic D-lactate via GLO2, during which GSH is reformed to be consumed again by GLO1 with a new molecule of MG. D-lactate ultimately goes on to be metabolized into pyruvate.