Lactate dehydrogenase facts for kids
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH or LD) is an enzyme found in nearly all living cells (animals, plants, and prokaryotes). It catalyzes the conversion of lactate to pyruvic acid and back
This is an important function because lactic acid builds up in muscle tissue. LDH works to prevent muscle fatigue and failure in various ways.
Each LDH molecule is made of four subunits. There are somewhat different types of LDH in different tissues. The main type in the lungs has two M subunits and two H subunits (2H2M). The M and H subunits are coded by two different genes. The M subunit is coded by LDHA on human chromosome 11, and the H subunit is coded by LDHB on chromosome 12.
Images for kids
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Reaction catalyzed by lactate dehydrogenase
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Arrow pushing mechanism for the reaction catalyzed by lactate dehydrogenase
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This is a mutant version of the LDH-5 enzyme, which is usually found in skeletal muscle
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Comparison of LDH activity in normal and cancerous cells
See also
In Spanish: Lactato deshidrogenasa para niños
