Aldo-keto reductases mediate constitutive and inducible protection against aldehyde toxicity in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells

► AKR7A2 is responsible for protecting SH-SY5Y cells from methyl glyoxal toxicity. ► AKR1C3 is responsible for protecting SH-SY5Y cells from 4-hydroxynonenal toxicity. ► Expression of AKR1C and AKR1B is inducible by methyl glyoxal and 4-hydroxynonenal. ► Tert-butyl hydroquinone induces expression of AKR1B and AKR1C.