AKR1B10

AKR1B10 Full Name

aldo-keto reductase family 1, member B10 (aldose reductase)

AKR1B10 Introduction

AKR1B10, or aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10, is an NADPH-dependent oxidoreductase primarily expressed in epithelial tissues such as the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and lung. As part of the broader aldo-keto reductase superfamily, AKR1B10 catalyzes the reduction of reactive carbonyl compounds, including cytotoxic aldehydes generated from lipid peroxidation. This detoxifying role positions AKR1B10 as an important protector against oxidative stress and chemical injury. Its expression is tightly regulated by metabolic, inflammatory, and oncogenic signals, and it is frequently upregulated in tissues with high exposure to environmental toxins or metabolic stress.

Figure 1. Illustration of the potential mechanisms by which AKR1B10 induces PEM chemotherapeutic resistance in lung cancer brain metastasis. (Sources: Duan W, et al.; 2023)

Functionally, AKR1B10 contributes to lipid metabolism, cellular redox balance, and proliferation control. It regulates retinoid homeostasis by reducing retinaldehyde to retinol, a key step that influences cellular differentiation and epithelial integrity. AKR1B10 also stabilizes acetyl-CoA carboxylase, promoting fatty acid synthesis and supporting anabolic growth programs. Through these metabolic functions, the enzyme enhances cell survival under stress and sustains biosynthetic pathways required for rapid proliferation. Experimental studies show that AKR1B10 overexpression confers resistance to oxidative damage and chemotherapeutic agents, whereas its loss disrupts lipid synthesis, increases intracellular stress, and reduces cellular viability.

Clinically, dysregulated AKR1B10 expression is strongly associated with multiple cancers and metabolic diseases. It is markedly overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and colorectal cancer, where it promotes tumor growth, metastasis, and resistance to chemotherapy by supporting antioxidant defenses and lipid metabolic reprogramming. Elevated AKR1B10 levels in serum or tissue are being explored as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, particularly in early-stage liver and lung cancers. Beyond oncology, AKR1B10 has been implicated in inflammatory diseases, diabetes-related complications, and disorders tied to oxidative stress. These clinical associations emphasize AKR1B10's role as a key metabolic regulator and highlight its potential as a therapeutic target for conditions driven by abnormal redox balance or metabolic remodeling.

Alternate Names for AKR1B10

AKR1B10; aldo-keto reductase family 1, member B10 (aldose reductase); HIS; HSI; ARL1; ARL-1; ALDRLn; AKR1B11; AKR1B12; aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10; ARP; hARP; SI reductase; aldose reductase-like 1; small intestine reductase; aldose reductase-like peptide; aldose reductase-related protein; aldo-keto reductase family 1, member B11 (aldose reductase-like);

• Immunohistochemistry Antibodies for Pathology

• 1. Duan W, et al.; Warburg effect enhanced by AKR1B10 promotes acquired resistance to pemetrexed in lung cancer-derived brain metastasis. J Transl Med. 2023, 21(1):547.