2007-10-23: Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Enzyme Kinetics for Substrates and Inhibitors Section Incorporated

We have added the Enzyme Kinetics for Substrates and Inhibitors section under each ALDH Gene record. This is a compilation of data derived from the literature available from Pubmed and under certain circumstances some data from unpublished studies. We are in a constant state of adding data to this section and would be greatly appreciative for any manuscripts our users recommend for incorpation into the website.

2007-09-30: ALDH Molecular Features Section Revised

The Molecular Features section for each ALDH was revised to reflect proper references for data presented. Each entry is detailed with the Accession Numbers or links to where the data are derived. Also, a number of accession numbers from the various databases were updated and/or retired due to the latest builds from NCBI / EBI, accordingly.

2007-07-06: Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Alcohol Use, and Flushing / Hives

Over the years we have received an enormous number of e-mails regarding questions about facial flushing that may occur following consumption of an alcoholic beverage. As so often is the case, their doctor fails to provide a detailed reason for such an incidence but may mention aldehyde dehydrogenase which leads them to us!

To be frank, we were not exactly prepared for these kind of questions as we were more focused on the molecular biology and chemistry of this gene superfamily. However the web is a wonderful tool that brings users with a vast range of scientific backgrounds together. As a result, I am preparing a Section within the ALDH Overview detailing the role of aldehyde dehydrogenases in the flushing syndrome experienced by so many.

2007-07-05: ALDH.ORG Version 3 Released!

The site is being significantly revised in hopes of providing users with an easier access system to data sought.

At this time, we are releasing the human, mouse and rat ALDH records as a beta test to work out the growing pains as well as obtain valuable feedback from users. Several sections for each ALDH will not be immediately available (polymorphisms, alternative splicing, and substrates specificities) but will be released in the coming weeks.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or comments with the site.

2007-04-04: ALDH Database Revision - Murine Aldh1a7 and Aldh1a4

Mus musculus (mouse) Aldh1a7 and Rattus norvegicus (Norway rat) Aldh1a4 pairwise alignments of their gene products demonstrate 92% sequence homology using ClustalW (version 1.83). Under the nomenclature guidelines for aldehyde dehydrogenases, this homology is indicative that these sequences are in fact orthologs. As a result, these two ALDH's were submitted to the major databases for revision, accordingly, and are annotated under Aldh1a7.