Background information
Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) mediate the NADP+-dependent oxidation of aldehydes into acids and play an important role in the detoxification of alcohol-derived acetaldehyde, as well as in lipid peroxidation and in the metabolism of corticosteroids, biogenic amines and neurotransmitters. ALDH9A1 (aldehyde dehydrogenase family 9 member A1), also known as E3, ALDH4, ALDH7, ALDH9 or TMABADH, is a 494 amino acid cytoplasmic protein that is highly expressed in adult liver, skeletal muscle, kidney and embryonic brain. ALDH9A1 converts gamma-trimethylaminobutyraldehyde into gamma-butyrobetaine and catalyzes the irreversible oxidation of a broad range of aldehydes to the corresponding acids in a NAD-dependent reaction.