Question

The net gain of ATP in the malate-aspartate shuttle is

• A. 3 ATP
• B. 2 ATP
• C. 1 ATP
• D. No ATP

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

3 ATP

The malate-aspartate shuttle is a mechanism to regulate glycolysis and lactate metabolism in the heart. It does so by transporting electron for oxidative phosphorylation from cytosol into mitochondria. During the conversion of oxaloacetate to malate in presence of enzyme malate dehydrogenase NAD${}^{+}$ is produced from NADH. When cytosolic NADH is oxidized by the respiratory chain, 3 ATP are formed.

Thus, the correct answer is '3 ATP.'