Zinc-containing ADH's are dimeric or tetrameric enzymes that bind two atoms of zinc per subunit. One of the zinc atom is essential for catalytic activity while the other is not. Both zinc atoms are coordinated by either cysteine or histidine residues; the catalytic zinc is coordinated by two cysteines and one histidine.

They are found in bacteria, mammals, plants, and in fungi. In most species there are more than one isozyme.

A number of other zinc-dependent dehydrogenases are closely related to zinc ADH, these are:--Xylitol dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.9); --Sorbitol dehydrogenase (1.1.1.14); --threonine 3-dehydrogenase (1.1.1.103); Cinamil alcohol dehydrogenase (1.1.1.195) - enzima presente em plantas e participante da Synthesis of lignina; e muitas outras.

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