Malate Synthase

In enzymology, a malate synthase (EC 2.3.3.9) is an enzyme that catalyzes the chemical reaction

acetyl-CoA + H₂O + glyoxylate (S)-malate + CoA

The 3 substrates of this enzyme are acetyl-CoA, H₂O, and glyoxylate, whereas its two products are (S)-malate and CoA.

This enzyme belongs to the family of transferases, specifically those acyltransferases that convert acyl groups into alkyl groups on transfer. The systematic name of this enzyme class is acetyl-CoA:glyoxylate C-acetyltransferase (thioester-hydrolysing, carboxymethyl-forming). Other names in common use include L-malate glyoxylate-lyase (CoA-acetylating), glyoxylate transacetylase, glyoxylate transacetase, glyoxylic transacetase, malate condensing enzyme, malate synthetase, malic synthetase, and malic-condensing enzyme. This enzyme participates in pyruvate metabolism and glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism.