MALIC DEHYDROGENASE Meaning and
Definition
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Malic dehydrogenase refers to an enzyme that plays a crucial role in various biological processes. It is an oxidoreductase, specifically from the dehydrogenase family, which catalyzes the conversion of malate into oxaloacetate through the transfer of hydride ions and the reduction of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) to NADH.
Malic dehydrogenase is primarily found in the mitochondria, cytoplasm, and chloroplasts of cells, depending on the organism. It is involved in several important metabolic pathways, including the citric acid cycle (also known as the Krebs cycle), glyoxylate cycle, and photosynthesis.
In the citric acid cycle, malic dehydrogenase is responsible for the conversion of malate to oxaloacetate, which then proceeds to further reactions to generate energy-rich molecules such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and reducing equivalents like NADH. This enzyme also plays a role in the glyoxylate cycle, which is important in plants and certain microorganisms for synthesizing carbohydrates from simpler carbon compounds.
Furthermore, malic dehydrogenase is essential in photosynthetic organisms like plants and algae, where it participates in the conversion of malate to oxaloacetate during the light-independent reactions of photosynthesis.
The measurement of malic dehydrogenase activity can provide valuable insights into the functioning of various biological systems and the diagnosis of certain diseases. Its levels or expression may be altered in conditions such as liver diseases, heart diseases, and certain types of cancer.
In summary, malic dehydrogenase is an enzyme that participates in multiple metabolic pathways, contributing to energy production and carbon metabolism in cells.
Common Misspellings for MALIC DEHYDROGENASE
- nalic dehydrogenase
- kalic dehydrogenase
- jalic dehydrogenase
- mzlic dehydrogenase
- mslic dehydrogenase
- mwlic dehydrogenase
- mqlic dehydrogenase
- makic dehydrogenase
- mapic dehydrogenase
- maoic dehydrogenase
- maluc dehydrogenase
- maljc dehydrogenase
- malkc dehydrogenase
- maloc dehydrogenase
- mal9c dehydrogenase
- mal8c dehydrogenase
- malix dehydrogenase
- maliv dehydrogenase
- malif dehydrogenase
- malid dehydrogenase
Etymology of MALIC DEHYDROGENASE
The word "Malic Dehydrogenase" is a combination of two terms: "malic" and "dehydrogenase".
1. Malic: The term "malic" is derived from the Latin word "malum", which means "apple". It refers to an organic acid called malic acid, which is found in various fruits, including apples. context of "Malic Dehydrogenase", "malic" signifies its substrate, malate, which is the salt or ester of malic acid.
2. Dehydrogenase: The term "dehydrogenase" is derived from the combination of two Greek roots: "de-" meaning "removal", and "hydrogen" referring to the chemical element. context of enzymes, a dehydrogenase is an enzyme that catalyzes a reaction involving the removal (oxidation) of hydrogen atoms from a substrate.
