NADP-dependent malic enzyme, mitochondrial

ME3 encodes NADP-dependent malic enzyme, a mitochondrial protein that catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of malate to pyruvate using NADP+ as a cofactor (UniProt: Q16798). This reaction is reversible but operates with significantly lower efficiency in the reverse direction. The enzyme plays a role in cellular energy metabolism and redox balance within mitochondria.

ME3 is localized to mitochondria and participates in carbohydrate and energy metabolism pathways. No Mendelian disease associations are currently annotated in UniProt for this protein (UniProt: Q16798).

ME3 shows decreased abundance in Alzheimer's Disease brain tissue. Proteomics analysis of post-mortem AD brain versus age-matched controls detected ME3 as downregulated (mean log2FC = −0.49) across examined subcellular fractions (Chaparral AD proteomics). This reduction in mitochondrial malic enzyme may reflect compromised energy metabolism and oxidative stress responses characteristic of AD neuropathology.