This gene encodes a member of the glutathione peroxidase family. Glutathione peroxidases catalyze the reduction of a variety of hydroperoxides, using glutathione as a specific electron donor substrate. The mouse and the rat orthologs contain Cys, unlike their human counterpart, which is a selenoprotein containing Sec (selenocysteine) at its active site. Expression of this gene is restricted to embryos and adult olfactory epithelium. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]