Human L-lactate Dehydrogenase C Chain, LDHC ELI

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH or LD) is an enzyme found in nearly all living cells.

LDH catalyzes the conversion of lactate to pyruvate and back, as it converts NAD+ to NADH and back.

A dehydrogenase is an enzyme that transfers a hydride from one molecule to another.

LDH exists in four distinct enzyme classes.

This article is specifically about the NAD(P)-dependent L-lactate dehydrogenase.

Other LDHs act on D-lactate and/or are dependent on cytochrome c: D-lactate dehydrogenase (cytochrome) and L-lactate dehydrogenase (cytochrome).

LDH is expressed extensively in body tissues, such as blood cells and heart muscle.

Because it is released during tissue damage, it is a marker of common injuries and disease such as heart failure.