The aldo-keto reductase 7 (AKR7) family includes AKR7A2, AKR7A3 and AKR7A4 in human, AKR7A5 in mouse and AKR7A2 in rat, all of which function in the metabolism of aflatoxin B(1) and other dicarbonyl-containing compounds. More specifically, AKR7A proteins are involved in the metabolism of compounds with ketone groups on adjacent carbon atoms in a broad range of tissues, notably the liver. The human AKR7A2 gene maps to human chromosome 1p35-36, a region frequently deleted in sporadic colorectal cancer. The functional significance of this correlation lies in the constitutive expression of AKR7A2 in human liver to eliminate aflatoxin (an environmental carcinogen), thus acting as an endogenous chemo-preventative agent.
