Title:ALDH2---The Genetic Polymorphism and Enzymatic Activity Regulation: Their Epidemiologic and Clinical Implications
Volume: 18
Issue: 15
Author(s): Rui Zhang, Jiali Wang, Mengyang Xue, Feng Xu*Yuguo Chen*
Affiliation:
- Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan 250012,China
- Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan 250012,China
Keywords:
Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), ALDH2 activator, ALDH2 inhibitor, genetic polymorphism, Mendelian
randomization, observational epidemiology.
Abstract: Background: The human aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) is the most effective enzyme
in the detoxification of alcohol metabolite acetaldehyde. The ALDH2*2 mutation is caused by a
single nucleotide substitution which results in a nearly inactive form of ALDH2 enzyme. The ALDH2
genotype has been used as a surrogate of alcohol to get causal inferences of alcohol in related diseases
implementing Mendelian randomization approach. In addition, ALDH2 enzyme has significant effect
on different diseases, indicating the potential therapeutic value of ALDH2 regulators including both
activators like Alda-1 and inhibitors such as daidzin and daidzein.
Objective: In this review, we aim to systematically discuss the implications of ALDH2 genotype and
ALDH2 enzyme regulators, highlighting their epidemiological and clinical importance, respectively.
Conclusion: ALDH2 polymorphism is shown to be a genetic instrument for alcohol use in Mendelian
randomization analysis. ALDH2 regulators exhibit potential therapeutic value as the important roles
of ALDH2 in various diseases. Both the genetic polymorphism and enzyme activity regulation of
ALDH2 are of great importance to their epidemiologic and clinical applications.
