Pyruvate oxidation is a central metabolic process in bacteria that links glycolysis to the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, enabling the efficient extraction of energy from glucose. This process occurs in the cytoplasm of bacteria and is catalyzed by the enzyme complex pyruvate dehydrogenase. During pyruvate oxidation, pyruvate, a three-carbon molecule, is decarboxylated to form a two-carbon acetyl group, which is then attached to coenzyme A (CoA) to produce acetyl-CoA. This reaction also generates one molecule of NADH through the reduction of NAD⁺, and a molecule of carbon dioxide (CO₂) is released as a byproduct. Acetyl-CoA enters the TCA cycle, where it is further oxidized to release more energy in the form of ATP, NADH, and FADH₂. Pyruvate oxidation is a critical metabolic step, providing both a key substrate for energy generation and building blocks for biosynthetic pathways, such as the synthesis of lipids and other macromolecules. Its regulation is tightly controlled to balance energy production with the metabolic needs of the cell.

Pyruvate oxidation References