Oxamate
Oxamate is the anion with the formula [NH2C(O)C(O)O]-. It is the conjugate base of oxamic acid. Oxamate is a dicarboxylic acid monoamide.
Oxamate is structurally similar to pyruvate, a key intermediate in glycolysis. Because of this structural similarity, oxamate acts as a competitive inhibitor of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of pyruvate to lactate. By inhibiting LDH, oxamate can disrupt cellular metabolism.
Oxamate and its derivatives have been studied for various potential applications, including antibacterial and anticancer agents. The mechanism of action often involves the disruption of energy metabolism within the targeted cells. Specifically, its impact on lactate production and pH regulation in different cellular environments have been of interest.