Question

What converts pyruvate to acetyl-CoA?

Answer 1

Pyruvate is converted to acetyl-CoA with the help of the enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase complex.

1. It is the process of oxidative decarboxylation whereby a carbon dioxide molecule that occurs in the citric acid cycle.
2. The pyruvate dehydrogenase complex consists of three enzymes and five coenzymes.
3. This reaction is carried out in the mitochondrial matrix.
4. The overall reaction is: 2Pyruvate + 2NAD⁺ + 2CoA ⇢ 2Acetyl-CoA + CO₂ + 2NADH