Abstract
The maximal extractable activity of "malic" enzyme (EC 1.1.1.40) in rat islets of Langerhans was similar to that reported for liver. Thus "malic" enzyme may catalyse a near-equilibrium reaction in the cytosol of islets of Langerhans. Measurements of islet content of malate and pyruvate, the metabolite substrate and product of "malic" enzyme, were therefore used to calculate the cytosolic ration of [NADPH]/[NADP+]. This ratio was higher in islets incubated with 20 mM-glucose than in islets incubated with 2 mM-glucose.