AKR01

AKR01 is an informal or provisional identifier that has appeared in some scientific texts as a shorthand designation for a member of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily, typically associated with the AKR1 subfamily. It is not a recognized standard gene symbol in major nomenclature databases such as HGNC, Ensembl, or UniProt. In the AKR1 family, enzymes are cytosolic NADPH-dependent oxidoreductases that reduce aldehydes and ketones to their corresponding alcohols, contributing to detoxification and various biosynthetic pathways.

The exact identity of a protein labeled AKR01 can be unclear and may vary between studies or species. In many datasets, AKR01 may function as a placeholder for an uncharacterized AKR1 family member or serve as an alias within a particular publication or database entry. Because AKR1B1, AKR1A1, and the AKR1C group are well characterized in humans and other organisms, AKR01 often requires cross-referencing with primary databases to determine its precise equivalence in a given context.

Functional roles associated with AKR1 enzymes broadly include metabolism of lipid peroxidation products, steroid and prostaglandin metabolism, and detoxification of xenobiotics. Structural features commonly observed in AKR1 enzymes include a conserved TIM-barrel fold and an active-site catalytic network that facilitates hydride transfer from NADPH. The designation AKR01 does not convey unambiguous functional or locational data by itself and should be interpreted with caution, using corroborating entries from authoritative databases.

See also: Aldo-keto reductase family, AKR1B1, AKR1C enzymes, gene nomenclature databases.