LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE Meaning and
Definition
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Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is an enzyme found in almost all living cells, responsible for the conversion of lactate to pyruvate during the process of glycolysis. It is a tetrameric protein with each subunit consisting of around 332 amino acids.
LDH plays a crucial role in anaerobic metabolism by facilitating the interconversion of pyruvate and lactate. Under conditions of low oxygen availability, such as during strenuous exercise or in hypoxic tissues, LDH helps convert excess pyruvate into lactate, generating energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This process, called lactate fermentation, allows for the continued production of ATP even in the absence of oxygen.
The importance of LDH extends beyond energy production. It is widely distributed throughout various tissues, including the liver, heart, skeletal muscles, and red blood cells. As such, LDH is commonly used as a biomarker for tissue damage or diseases affecting these organs. Elevated levels of LDH in the blood often indicate cellular injury or disease, such as myocardial infarction, liver damage, or certain types of cancers.
In addition to its diagnostic value, LDH also has industrial applications. It is utilized in the food and beverage industry for monitoring fermentation processes, specifically in the production of yogurt, cheese, and wine. Furthermore, LDH has potential as a therapeutic target in treating certain diseases and metabolic disorders, as modifying its activity could potentially alter lactate metabolism and cellular energy production.
Common Misspellings for LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE
- kactate dehydrogenase
- pactate dehydrogenase
- oactate dehydrogenase
- lzctate dehydrogenase
- lsctate dehydrogenase
- lwctate dehydrogenase
- lqctate dehydrogenase
- laxtate dehydrogenase
- lavtate dehydrogenase
- laftate dehydrogenase
- ladtate dehydrogenase
- lacrate dehydrogenase
- lacfate dehydrogenase
- lacgate dehydrogenase
- lacyate dehydrogenase
- lac6ate dehydrogenase
- lac5ate dehydrogenase
- lactzte dehydrogenase
- lactste dehydrogenase
- lactwte dehydrogenase
Etymology of LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE
The word "Lactate Dehydrogenase" is derived from a combination of Latin and English terms.
"Lactate" originates from the Latin word "lac" meaning milk, which refers to the fact that this enzyme is involved in the metabolism of lactate, a component of lactic acid.
"Dehydrogenase" is an English term composed of the prefix "de-" meaning removal or elimination, and "hydrogen" referring to the chemical element. In this context, dehydrogenase signifies an enzyme that removes hydrogen atoms from a substrate molecule.
Therefore, "Lactate Dehydrogenase" denotes an enzyme that is specifically responsible for removing hydrogen from lactate in metabolic processes.
