Malondialdehyde inhibits an AMPK-mediated nuclear translocation and repression activity of ALDH2 in transcription

► ALDH2 is an MDA-modified protein in old rat kidney tissues. ► AMPK associates with ALDH2 and triggers the nuclear localization of ALDH2. ► ALDH2 serves as a general transcriptional repressor by associating with HDACs. ► MDA inhibits the AMPK-mediated translocation of ALDH2 and its repression activity.