This gene encodes a mitochondrial NAD-dependent malic enzyme, a homotetrameric protein, that catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of malate to pyruvate. It had previously been weakly linked to a syndrome known as Friedreich ataxia that has since been shown to be the result of mutation in a completely different gene. Certain single-nucleotide polymorphism haplotypes of this gene have been shown to increase the risk for idiopathic generalized epilepsy. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Dec 2009],catalytic activity:(S)-malate + NAD(+) = pyruvate + CO(2) + NADH.,cofactor:Divalent metal cations. Prefers magnesium or manganese.,enzyme regulation:Subject to allosteric activation by fumarate.,miscellaneous:This isoenzyme can also use NADP(+) but is more effective with NAD(+).,similarity:Belongs to the malic enzymes family.,subunit:Homotetramer.,
