 Succinate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase is found in organisms ranging across the tree of life from bacteria to humans.It is important in the degradation of γ-aminobutyric acid in humans, and deficiency of the enzyme causes serious health effects (succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency).In bacteria, the enzyme is also involved in γ-aminobutyric acid degradation, but can be recruited to facilitate other functions, such as converting succinate-semialdehyde formed during fission of the pyridine ring to succinic acid for entry into the Krebs Cycle.