該蛋白屬于蛋白質的醛脫氫酶家族。這個基因的產物是一種催化視網膜醛合成維甲酸（RA）的酶。維甲酸是維生素A（維甲酸）的活性衍生物，是一種激素信號分子，在發育和成人組織中起作用。類似小鼠基因的研究表明，這種酶和細胞色素cyp26a1同時建立了促進后器官發育和預防脊柱裂的局部胚胎維甲酸水平。四個編碼不同亞型的轉錄變體已被鑒定為該基因。
This protein belongs to the aldehyde dehydrogenase family of proteins. The product of this gene is an enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of retinoic acid (RA) from retinaldehyde. Retinoic acid, the active derivative of vitamin A (retinol), is a hormonal signaling molecule that functions in developing and adult tissues. The studies of a similar mouse gene suggest that this enzyme and the cytochrome CYP26A1, concurrently establish local embryonic retinoic acid levels which facilitate posterior organ development and prevent spina bifida. Four transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been identified for this gene.