Studies on the mechanism of the malate dehydrogenase reaction

The stereospecificity of the chicken heart mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase as well as the ability of this enzyme to form various abortive complexes has been further investigated. The enzyme was found to be specific for the A-hydrogen of NADH. Complex formation of the enzyme with oxalacetate and oxidized coenzymes is pH-dependent and is promoted at alkaline pH values. The enol form of oxalacetate appears to be the species that participates in the formation of the complexes. The binding of L-malate, D-malate, or hydroxymalonate to the enzyme. NADH complex is also pH-dependent, and involves a group on the enzyme with a pK of 7.5. The binding of L-malate is promoted at alkaline pH values, whereas the binding of D-malate and hydroxymalonate is favored at acidic pH values. These results indicate that L-malate and enol-oxalacetate preferentially or exclusively bind to the nonprotonated form of the enzyme, whereas keto-oxalactate, hydroxymalonate, and D-malate only bind to the protonated form of the enzyme. Based on this conclusion, a detailed chemical mechanism for the malate dehydrogenase reaction has been postulated and a schematic illustration of the transition state of the enzyme is presented.