D-lactate dehydrogenase family
d-lactate dehydrogenase family
Lactate exists in the human body as two optical isomers: L-lactate and D-lactate. L-lactate is produced from pyruvate during anaerobic glycolysis and present in blood at concentrations 100 times greater than D-lactate. D-lactate is acquired exogenously by consumption of foods, by metabolism of chemicals such as propylene glycol, by intestinal bacteria production, or endogenously by methylglyoxal metabolism—a toxic product that is converted to D-lactate. Different classes of lactate dehydrogenase act on the different isomers. LDHD is specific for D-lactate metabolism.