This gene encodes a member of the aldehyde dehydrogenase protein family. Aldehyde dehydrogenases are a family of isozymes that may play a major role in the detoxification of aldehydes generated by alcohol metabolism and lipid peroxidation. The encoded protein is able to oxidize long-chain fatty aldehydes in vitro, and may play a role in protection from oxidative stress. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Feb 2014].