Reduction of alpha-oxo carboxylic acids by pigeon liver 'malic' enzyme.

1. Pigeon liver ;malic' enzyme [l-malate-NADP(+) oxidoreductase (decarboxylating); EC 1.1.1.40] was shown to catalyse the reductase reaction: [Formula: see text] l-Malate was identified as the reaction product, and was formed in stoicheiometric amount. 2. In addition to oxaloacetate and pyruvate, a number of other alpha-oxo carboxylic acids were also reduced.