Encodes an NAD-dependent malic enzyme (NAD-ME) that does not act on oxaloacetate, indicating that it belongs to EC 1.1.1.39. It is a member of the beta family of NAD-MEs in plants. It appears to function as a homodimer or as a heterodimer with the alpha-type NAD-ME2 (At2g13560). NAD-ME2 transcript and protein levels are higher during the night than during the day.
In flowers, mostly present in anthers, stigmatic papillae, gynoecium (apical part) and filaments, and, barely in sepals (at protein level). In developing siliques, localized in the apical part and the abscission zone. In seedlings, expressed in cotyledons, hypocotyls, and root tip. Accumulates slowly in leaves as they mature, in the mesophyll and the cells that surround the vascular bundles.