rate-limiting unreviewed

Aldose reductase (AKR1B1)

2 reactions · 2 pathways

Cofactors used

NADPH · B3 (Niacin) NADP+ · B3 (Niacin)

Clinical / pharmacological. Target of aldose reductase inhibitors; polyol accumulation in diabetes

What it does, reaction by reaction

2 reactions

Galactose Metabolism Carbohydrate Metabolism · Cytosol

step 7 Irreversible/directional

Galactose + NADPH + H+ → galactitol + NADP+

Converts Galactose NADPH H+ into Galactitol NADP+

› Notes

Aldose reductase reduces excess galactose to galactitol using NADPH. This is a side pathway rather than a normal energy-yielding Leloir step; galactitol is poorly metabolized and can accumulate, particularly in the lens.

Sorbitol / Polyol Pathway Carbohydrate Metabolism · Cytosol

step 1 Irreversible/directional rate-limiting

Glucose + NADPH + H+ -> sorbitol + NADP+

Converts Glucose NADPH H+ into Sorbitol NADP+

› Notes

Rate-limiting. High Km for glucose, so flux rises sharply in hyperglycaemia. Also reduces galactose to galactitol.

Showing all 2 reactions.

What accelerates and inhibits it

Regulation is pathway-specific, so each context is listed separately

0 entries

No regulation recorded for this enzyme in the source documents.

Recent literature

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Europe PMC · from cache · sorted by publication date

1
Landscape of diabetic kidney disease drug clinical trials in China (2013-2023): global implications for innovation and policy.
Yang Y, Tan H, Xiao Z, Zhu J, Chen Y, Li G. · 2026-02-22

open access unreviewed
2
Dual anti-pseudomonal and resistance-modulatory actions of Sida acuta (Malvaceae) via BamB-OprM targeting: insights from integrated metabolomics, computational, and in vitro analyses.
Seukep AJ, Mbuntcha HG, Zemnou CT, Kouam AF, Kuete V, Guo M. · 2026-01-08

open access unreviewed
3
Linoleic acid enhances prostaglandin signaling and IFNT expression in bovine trophoblast cells in vitro.
Bezerra LO, Rolniche LCM, Mendes AF, Silva AGD, Feltrin IR, Morelli KG, Prestes CL, Pinto MER, Maldonado MBC,… · 2026-04-30

unreviewed
4
AKR1C3-driven restoration of tetrahydrobiopterin synthesis in cellular sepiapterin reductase deficiency.
Woodcock J, Tan S, Vasquez-Vivar J. · 2026-04-29

unreviewed
5
DNA Methylation and mRNA Expression of SEPT9 and AKR1B1 in Ovarian Cancer: Diagnostic and Prognostic Implications.
Kozłowski M, Borzyszkowska D, Lubkowski M, Komaniecka N, Mikulka A, Birger R, Kolczewski P, Brodowska A, Kurz… · 2026-07-16

unreviewed
6
Luteolin inhibits hyperglycemia-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and malignant progression in gastric cancer via targeting AKR1B1-mediated glucose metabolism.
He Q, Tao F, Wen X, Zhu L, Ye X. · 2026-07-14

unreviewed
7
Metabolic reprogramming in polyol pathway contributes to anti-inflammatory effect of glucosamine salts on synovial fibroblasts.
Okada J, Nakano R, Kitanaka N, Kitanaka T, Namba S, Nakano M, Naruke A, Nunomura J, Suwabe Y, Konno T, Tohi T… · 2026-07-01

unreviewed
8
L-citrulline modulates pancreatic enzyme activity and biochemical markers in adult female Wistar rats with metabolic syndrome.
Imam Isa A, Eissa H, Abd-El Rahman MN, Ahmed Mohammed N, O'haj Mohamed M. · 2026-07-01

unreviewed
9
The novel δ,γ-biscarboline derivative T2 suppresses erythroleukemia through inhibition of AKR1B1 in the fructose metabolic reprogramming.
Bai L, Wang Z, Tao J, Kuang Y, Sun M, Hu A, Wang C, Liu W, Liu S, Ben-David Y, Xiao X. · 2026-05-15

unreviewed
10
Deciphering the impact of SNAI1 gene on renal tubular cell proteome, nucleolar stress, ribosome biogenesis, senescence, DNA damage response, and focal adhesion dynamics.
Kanlaya R, Nonthawong K, Suntivichaya M, Yoodee S, Thongboonkerd V. · 2025-11-10

open access unreviewed

External claims. These come from an index outside this database and are not checked against it. Treat them as leads.