*3.1.4. ALDH2*

ALDH2 is a tetrameric enzyme expressed profusely in lungs and liver; it is also present in organs that obligate high mitochondrial capacity for oxidative ATP generation including heart and brain. Apart from that, ALDH2 is also important in the aldehydic substrate oxidation such as 4-HNE, acrolein, and short-chain, aromatic or polycyclic carbons. To add to its dehydrogenase activity, depending on the substrates, ALDH2 can function as an esterase and reductase. More recent attention has also been focused on ALDH2 in regards to its function in the biotransformation of nitroglycerin, reducing it to 1,2-glyceryl dinitrate for the production of nitric oxide, which is a critical vasodilator (Chen*, et al.*, 2010).
