Mitochondria and l‐lactate metabolism

We review here the novel insights arisen from investigations on l ‐lactate metabolism in mammalian, plant and yeast mitochondria. The presence of l ‐lactate dehydrogenases inside mitochondria, where l ‐lactate enters in a carrier‐mediated fashion, suggests that mitochondria play an important role in l ‐lactate metabolism. Functional studies have demonstrated the occurrence of several l ‐lactate carriers. Moreover, immunological investigations have proven the existence of monocarboxylate translocator isoforms in mitochondria.