ALDH1A1 is part of the aldehyde dehydrogenases family.
Aldehyde dehydrogenase is the 2nd protein of the main oxidative pathway of alcohol metabolism. Cytosolic and mitochondrial are 2 main liver isoforms of ALDH that are differentiateed by their electrophoretic mobility, kinetic property, & subcellular localization. The majority of Caucasians have two main isozymes, whereas just about 50% of Orientals have only the cytosolic form, excluding the mitochondrial form. ALDH1A1 is also a member of the group of corneal crystallins that assist the transparency of the cornea.
(Retinal + NAD+ + H2O = retinoate + NADH).