Required for maintaining the appropriate mycolic acid composition and permeability of the envelope on its exposure to acidic pH. a primary alcohol + NAD(+) = an aldehyde + H(+) + NADH a secondary alcohol + NAD(+) = a ketone + H(+) + NADH Binds 2 Zn(2+) ions per subunit. Expression is controlled by VirS. Induced at acidic pH and in macrophages. Inactivation of the mymA operon causes altered cell wall structure, reduced contents and altered composition of mycolic acids along with the accumulation of saturated C24 and C26 fatty acids, and enhanced susceptibility to antibiotics, detergents and acidic pH. Also impairs ability to survive in macrophages. Belongs to the zinc-containing alcohol dehydrogenase family.