Malate Dehydrogenase 1 (MDH1)

Malate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.37) (MDH) is an enzyme in the citric acid cycle that catalyzes the conversion of malate into oxaloacetate (using NAD⁺) and vice versa (this is a reversible reaction). Malate dehydrogenase is not to be confused with malic enzyme, which catalyzes the conversion of malate to pyruvate producing NADPH.

Malate dehydrogenase is also involved in gluconeogenesis, the synthesis of glucose from smaller molecules. Pyruvate in the mitochondria is acted upon by pyruvate carboxylase to form oxaloacetate, a citric acid cycle intermediate. In order to get the oxaloacetate out of the mitochondria, malate dehydrogenase reduces it to malate, and it then traverses the inner mitochondrial membrane.