InterPro domain: IPR006252

This entry represents glyoxysomal malate synthases and one of two bacterial forms, designated malate synthase A.

Malate synthase and isocitrate lyase are the two characteristic enzymes of the glyoxylate cycle. The glyoxylate cycle allows certain organisms, like plants and fungi, to derive their carbon requirements from two-carbon compounds, by bypassing the two carboxylation steps of the citric acid cycle [ 1 ]. Isocitrate lyase, first catalyzes the aldol cleavage of isocitrate to succinate (an intermediate of the tricarboxylic acid cycle) and glyoxylate. Then malate synthase catalyzes the condensation of acetyl CoA with glyoxylate to yield malate (another intermediate of the tricarboxylic acid cycle) [ 2 ].

1. Krebs and his trinity of cycles. Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell Biol. 1, 225-8
2. Regulation of acetate metabolism by protein phosphorylation in enteric bacteria. Annu. Rev. Microbiol. 52, 127-64