Aldo Keto Reductase Family 1, Member A1 (AKR1A1)

AKR1A1 encodes a member of the aldo/keto reductase superfamily, which consists of more than 40 known enzymes and proteins. This member, also known as aldehyde reductase, is involved in the reduction of biogenic and xenobiotic aldehydes and is present in virtually every tissue. Alternative splicing of this gene results in two transcript variants encoding the same protein. Lens aldose reductase is composed of a single subunit with molecular weight 35 kD, and liver aldehyde reductase is composed of a single subunit of molecular weight 32 kD. Liver aldose reductase M is composed of 2 nonidentical subunits of molecular weights 35 kD and 42 kD. Lens has only AR, liver has ARM and ALR, red cells have only ALR, while brain and placenta have all 3 enzymes.