Human Lactate Dehydrogenase A (LDHA) Enzyme

Background

Lactate Dehydrogenase A (LDHA) is an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of pyruvate to lactate in the final step of anaerobic glycolysis. LDHA plays a critical role in cellular energy metabolism, especially under hypoxic conditions, where it helps regenerate NAD+ for glycolysis. It is highly expressed in tissues with high glycolytic activity, such as skeletal muscle. In cancer, LDHA is upregulated as part of the Warburg effect, where tumor cells preferentially use glycolysis for energy production, even in the presence of oxygen. Elevated LDHA expression is associated with tumor growth, metastasis, and resistance to therapy, making it a target for anticancer therapies. Beyond cancer, LDHA is implicated in metabolic disorders and muscular diseases, highlighting its importance in both normal physiology and pathological conditions.