该基因编码一个酶家族的成员，其功能是添加谷胱甘肽来靶向亲电化合物，包括致癌物质、治疗药物、环境毒素和氧化应激产物。这一作用是解毒这些化合物的重要步骤。该酶家族具有保护细胞免受活性氧和过氧化产物的特殊作用。该基因的多态性影响个体代谢不同药物的能力。该基因位于6号染色体上的一组相似基因和假基因中选择性剪接导致多个转录变体[由RefSeq提供，2016年1月]
This gene encodes a member of a family of enzymes that function to add glutathione to target electrophilic compounds, including carcinogens, therapeutic drugs, environmental toxins, and products of oxidative stress. This action is an important step in detoxification of these compounds. This subfamily of enzymes has a particular role in protecting cells from reactive oxygen species and the products of peroxidation. Polymorphisms in this gene influence the ability of individuals to metabolize different drugs. This gene is located in a cluster of similar genes and pseudogenes on chromosome 6. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2016]