The complete nucleotide sequence of the LPD1 gene, which encodes the lipoamide dehydrogenase component (E3) of the pyruvate dehydrogenase and 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase multienzyme complexes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has been established. The flanking region 5' to the LPD1 gene contains DNA sequences which show homology to known control sites found upstream of other yeast genes. The primary structure of the protein, determined from the DNA sequence, shows strong homology to a group of flavoproteins including Escherichia coli lipoamide dehydrogenase and pig heart lipoamide dehydrogenase. The amino acid sequence also reveals the presence of a potential targeting sequence at its N-terminus which may facilitate transport to and entry into mitochondria.