Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) is a member of the aldehyde dehydrogenase superfamily. The enzymes in this family catalyze the oxidation of a variety of aldehydes, leading to their detoxification . ALDH2 activation correlates with decreased ischemic heart injury, suggesting an essential role of ALDH2 in cardiac protection from ischemic injury. In addition, ALDH2 is the primary enzyme for aldehyde oxidation in hematopoietic stem cells. ALDH2 is required for protecting these cells from DNA damage caused by acetaldehyde and has a critical function to counteract genotoxicity.