Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex

Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex is a multi enzyme complex which catalyzes the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA and CO₂. It is important in metabolism as it is the linking step between glycolysis and the citric acid cycle. The complex consists of 3 enzymes;

• lipoamide reductase-transacetylase
• dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase
• pyruvate decarboxylase

The enzymes form a channel in the mitrochondrial matrix, passing the reaction intermediates directly from one enzyme to the next. This increases the efficiecy of the enzmes as the intermediate substances are unstable, therefore having the enzymes close together allows for maximum production of acetyl-CoA.