Malate dehydrogenase in plants: Its genetics, structure, localization and use as a marker

Abstract

This article is an overview of literature data on the structure, properties, functions and genetic control of the enzyme malate dehydrogenase (MDH) in plants. In most of the plant entities studied, this enzyme is highly polymorphic, which means that malate dehydrogenase has multiple molecular forms. It has been found that MDH polymorphism in each species is genetically determined by several loci with multiple alleles. A readily identifiable phenotypic manifestation and a high activity of malate dehydrogenase in diverse organs and tissues make this enzyme a reliable and convenient genetic marker, which can effectively be used in special, ecological and population genetics.