Alcohol dehydrogenase, SDR and MDR structural stages, present update and altered era

• Molecular research on ADH since ∼50 years.
• Updates on numbers of known ADH, MDR and SDR forms.
• Constant and variable forms, with apparent restrictions also in some “silent” forms.
• Altered eras of research but continued overall increases in data collections.

It is now about half a century since molecular research on alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) and medium-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (MDR) started. During this time, at least four stages of research can be distinguished, which led to many ADH, SDR and MDR structures from which their origins could be traced. An introductory summary of these stages is given, followed by a current update on the now known structures, including the present pattern of mammalian MDR–ADH enzymes into six classes and their evolutionary relationships. In spite of the wide spread in evolutionary changes from the “constant” class III to the more “variable” other classes, the change in class V (only confirmed as a transcript in humans) and class VI (absent in humans) are also restricted. Such spread in variability is visible also in other dehydrogenases, but not always so restricted in other co-evolving proteins we have studied. Finally, the shift in era of present ADH research is highlighted, as well as levels of likely future continuation.