What is the role of NADH in gluconeogenesis?

The role of NADH in gluconeogenesis is that it acts as a reducing agent in biosynthesis. This metabolic pathway is the process of generating glucose from non-carbohydrate precursors, and during the process, NADH is important for facilitating the reduction reactions required.

In gluconeogenesis, two key enzymes—glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase—require NADH to convert oxaloacetate into malate and to carry out the reduction of 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate. The NADH donates electrons, thereby reducing these substrates, making it essential for the synthesis of glucose from precursors like pyruvate and lactate.

This role is critical because it ensures that the pathway can proceed efficiently, producing the necessary intermediates for glucose formation.