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6.4.1.1. Conversion of Pyruvate into Phosphoenolpyruvate
Pyruvate carboxylase, present in mitochondria, converts pyruvate to oxaloacetate in the presence of ATP, the B vitamin biotin, and CO2 . The function of the biotin is to bind CO2 from bicarbonate onto the enzyme prior to the addition of the CO2 to pyruvate. A second enzyme, phosphoenolpyruate carboxykinase, catalyzes the conversion of oxaloacetate to phosphoenolpyruvate. High energy phosphate in the form of GTP or ITP is required in this reaction, and CO2 is liberated.
Thus, with the help of these two enzymes catalyzing endergonic transformations and lactate dehydrogenase, lactate can be converted to phosphoenolpyruvate, overcoming the energy barrier between pyruvate and phosphoenolpyruvate. |