AKR1B1: Proteins and Enzymes

Aldose reductase (also designated AKR1B1, ALDR1, ALR2 or AR) is member of the monomeric NADPH-dependent aldoketoreductase family. Aldose reductase, which has a molecular mass of 36 kDa, catalyzes the reduction of various aldehydes and has been implicated in the development of diabetic complications by catalyzing the reduction of the aldehyde form of glucose, to the corresponding sugar alcohol, sorbitol. This pathway plays a minor role in glucose metabolism in most tissues, however in diabetic hyperglycemia, cells undergoing insulin-independent uptake of glucose accumulate significant quantities of sorbitol. The resulting hyperosmotic stress to cells may be a cause of diabetic complications such as neuropathy, retinopathy, and cataracts. Aldose reductase is very similar to human aldehyde reductase, bovine prostaglandin F synthase and to the European common frog protein, rho-crystallin.