Aldose reductase with a broad substrate specificity. Reduces the cytotoxic compound methylglyoxal (MG) to acetol and (R)-lactaldehyde under stress conditions. MG is synthesized via a bypath of glycolysis from dihydroxyacetone phosphate and is believed to play a role in cell cycle regulation and stress adaptation (PubMed:11525399). In pentose-fermenting yeasts, aldose reductase catalyzes the reduction of xylose into xylitol. The purified enzyme catalyzes this reaction, but the inability of S.cerevisiae to grow on xylose as sole carbon source indicates that the physiological function is more likely methylglyoxal reduction (Probable) (PubMed:11722921). an alditol + NAD(+) = an aldose + H(+) + NADH an alditol + NADP(+) = an aldose + H(+) + NADPH Optimum pH is 5. Monomer. By osmotic, ionic, oxidative and heat stress. Present with 12851 molecules/cell in log phase SD medium. 'De respuesta a estres' means stress response in Spanish. Belongs to the aldo/keto reductase family.