In enzymology, a lactate aldolase (EC 4.1.2.36) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction
- (S)-lactate formate + acetaldehyde
Hence, this enzyme has one substrate, (S)-lactate, and two products, formate and acetaldehyde.
This enzyme belongs to the family of lyases, specifically the aldehyde-lyases, which cleave carbon-carbon bonds. The systematic name of this enzyme class is (S)-lactate acetaldehyde-lyase (formate-forming). Other names in common use include lactate synthase, and (S)-lactate acetaldehyde-lyase. This enzyme participates in pyruvate metabolism.