Background:
The protein encoded by this gene, glutathione S-transferase (GST) theta 2 (GSTT2), is a member of a superfamily of proteins that catalyze the conjugation of reduced glutathione to a variety of electrophilic and hydrophobic compounds. Human GSTs can be divided into five main classes: alpha, mu, pi, theta, and zeta. The theta class includes GSTT1, GSTT2, and GSTT2B. GSTT2 and GSTT2B are nearly identical to each other, and share 55% amino acid identity with GSTT1. All three genes may play a role in human carcinogenesis. The GSTT2 gene is a pseudogene in some populations.