ALDH1A2

ALDH1A2, or Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member A2, alias DIH4, RALDH2, RALDH2-T, RALDH(II), and others. This is an enzyme encoded by a human gene that is primarily involved in the second step of retinol metabolism, the irreversible oxidation of retinaldehyde to retinoic acid, and is the main synthetic enzyme for retinoic acid . Retinoic acid is the active derivative of vitamin A and functions as a hormonal signaling molecule in developmental and adult tissues, and is essential for embryonic development and maintenance of adult tissues .

The biological significance of ALDH1A2 is mainly in its role in the regulation of retinoic acid levels. It has been shown that ALDH1A2 acts in concert with the cytochrome CYP26A1 to establish localized embryonic retinoic acid levels, promote posterior organ development and prevent spina bifida.Abnormal expression of ALDH1A2 has been associated with a variety of disorders, including neural tube defects, microphthalmia, diaphragmatic hernia, etc. In addition, ALDH1A2 has been implicated in the development and maintenance of adult tissues. In addition, increased expression of ALDH1A2 in certain tumor stem cells may be associated with tumor development . Therefore, ALDH1A2 is a potential target in drug development and disease treatment.