Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) mediate NADP+-dependent oxidation of aldehydes into acids during the detoxification of alcohol-derived acetaldehyde; metabolism of corticosteroids, biogenic amines and neurotransmitters; and lipid peroxidation. Recent studies suggest that control of retinoid signaling through ALDH1A1 may influence hematopoietic stem cell differentiation. Several studies have suggested that ALDH1A1 is a potential marker for cancer stem cells and chemoresistance in several tumor types, such as melanoma, lung cancer, and glioblastoma.
