title: Non-P450 aldehyde oxidizing enzymes: the aldehyde dehydrogenase superfamily.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aldehydes are highly reactive molecules. While several non-P450 enzyme systems participate in their metabolism, one of the most important is the aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) superfamily, composed of NAD(P)+-dependent enzymes that catalyze aldehyde oxidation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article presents a review of what is currently known about each member of the human ALDH superfamily including the pathophysiological significance of these enzymes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Relevant literature involving all members of the human ALDH family was extensively reviewed, with the primary focus on recent and novel findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To date, 19 ALDH genes have been identified in the human genome and mutations in these genes and subsequent inborn errors in aldehyde metabolism are the molecular basis of several diseases, including Sjögren-Larsson syndrome, type II hyperprolinemia, gamma-hydroxybutyric aciduria and pyridoxine-dependent seizures. ALDH enzymes also play important roles in embryogenesis and development, neurotransmission, oxidative stress and cancer. Finally, ALDH enzymes display multiple catalytic and non-catalytic functions including ester hydrolysis, antioxidant properties, xenobiotic bioactivation and UV light absorption.
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Molecular Toxicology & Environmental Health Sciences Program, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 4200 East Ninth Avenue, C238, Denver, Colorado 80262, USA.
authors.forename: Satori A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Marchitti
authors.forename: Chad
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brocker
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stagos
authors.forename: Vasilis
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vasiliou
mesh_terms: D000444:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000447:Aldehydes / Q000378:metabolism*; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008661:Metabolism, Inborn Errors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D013379:Substrate Specificity
chemical_list: D000447:Aldehydes; D007527:Isoenzymes; D000444:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase