Malic Enzyme 1, NADP+ Dependent, Cytosolic (ME1)

ME1 encodes a cytosolic, NADP-dependent enzyme that generates NADPH for fatty acid biosynthesis. The activity of this enzyme, the reversible oxidative decarboxylation of malate to pyruvate, links the glycolytic and citric acid cycles. The regulation of expression for this gene is complex. Increased expression can result from elevated levels of thyroid hormones or by higher proportions of carbohydrates in the diet.The predicted protein contains 572 amino acids and has a calculated molecular mass of 64.1 kD. The human ME1 protein is 89% identical to mouse and rat Me1, 77% identical to duck ME1, and 54% identical to human ME2.There are 2 types of NADP(+)-dependent malic enzymes, a cytosolic form (ME1) and a mitochondrial form (ME3). These enzymes are also called NADP(+)-dependent malate dehydrogenases.