'Malic enzyme' polymorphism in sheep erythrocytes.

Abstract

'Malic enzyme' or malate dehydrogenase (NADP+), E.C.1.1.1.40, catalyses the reaction: L-malate + NADP in equilibrium pyruvate + CO2 + NADPH Baker & Manwell (1977), in a survey of a number of different enzymes reported that 'malic enzyme' was polymorphic in the erythrocytes and certain other tissues of sheep, and indicated that it would be a potentially useful new genetic marker for this species. This paper confirms the existence of the polymorphism in sheep erythrocytes and presents inheritance and breed data.