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<p>Abstract</p> <p>The aldehyde dehydrogenase (<it>ALDH</it>) gene superfamily encodes enzymes that are critical for certain life processes and detoxification via the NAD(P)⁺-dependent oxidation of numerous endogenous and exogenous aldehyde substrates, including pharmaceuticals and environmental pollutants. Analysis of the <it>ALDH </it>gene superfamily in the latest databases showed that the human genome contains 19 putatively functional genes and three pseudogenes. A number of <it>ALDH </it>genes are upregulated as a part of the oxidative stress response and inexplicably overexpressed in various tumours, leading to problems during cancer chemotherapy. Mutations in <it>ALDH </it>genes cause inborn errors of metabolism -- such as the Sjögren - Larsson syndrome, type II hyperprolinaemia and <it>γ</it>-hydroxybutyric aciduria -- and are likely to contribute to several complex diseases, including cancer and Alzheimer's disease. The <it>ALDH </it>gene products appear to be multifunctional proteins, possessing both catalytic and non-catalytic properties.</p>