Enzyme Activity Measurement of Malate Dehydrogenase (Oxaloacetate-Decarboxylating) Using Spectrophotometric Assays

Creative Enzymes provides the best service of enzyme activity measurement by the advanced equipment and excellent techniques. In the past few years, Creative Enzymes has helped thousands of scientists and researchers accomplish activity testing on a variety of enzymes, including malate dehydrogenase (oxaloacetate-decarboxylating).

Malate dehydrogenase (oxaloacetate-decarboxylating) is an oxidative decarboxylase that catalyzes the conversion of L-malate to pyruvate and carbon dioxide, using a divalent metal ion, such as Mg²⁺ or Mn²⁺, and NAD⁺ as cofactors. The enzyme is found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Unlike EC 1.1.1.39, this enzyme can also decarboxylate exogenous oxaloacetate. It is also known as:

• malic enzyme (ambiguous);
• pyruvic-malic carboxylase (ambiguous);
• NAD⁺-specific malic enzyme;
• NAD⁺-malic enzyme;
• NAD⁺-linked malic enzyme

A sequence comparison of malate dehydrogenases (oxaloacetate-decarboxylating) from different sources shows significant homology within the family. Because of its functional importance, the enzyme has been isolated and characterized from several sources. For example, the mitochondrial NAD-malic enzyme (m-NAD·ME) from the parasitic nematode, Ascaris suum, plays a pivotal role in carbohydrate metabolism in parasitic worms. In the anaerobic metabolism of A. suum, malate, an intermediate in the worm’s glycolytic pathway, is transported into the mitochondria where it undergoes a dismutation and is converted to pyruvate and NADH via the malic enzyme reaction. The compound can also be transformed into fumarate, which is then converted to short, branched-chain fatty acids via succinate mediated by the NADH produced in the malic enzyme reaction. It can be seen that malate dehydrogenase (oxaloacetate-decarboxylating) plays an important role in generation of reducing equivalents (NADH) for the conversion of several molecules of biological importance. This enzyme also participates in other metabolic pathways such as photosynthesis, lipogenesis, and energy metabolism. Proper measurement of the enzymatic activity will directly support the application of this enzyme. Creative Enzymes provides rapid and reliable assay service which can completely satisfied your demands.

Figure: The crystal structure of malate dehydrogenases (oxaloacetate-decarboxylating) from Ascaris suum complexed with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide.
Reference: Coleman DE et al. Biochemistry. 2002 41(22):6928-38

Creative Enzymes’ expertise lies in customization of activity test methods for each client. The professional standard and efficient service are verified by many customers. In the future, Creative Enzymes will continue to be your trust-worthy partner.