59 by: Isabella Alas

Student – Isabella Alas

Enzyme: Pyruvate carboxylase

EC 6.4.1.1

Location of enzyme – Pyruvate carboxylase is present in many organisms such as bacteria, fungi, animals and plants. In eukaryotic organisms, pyruvate carboxylase is typically found in the mitochondria.

Function of enzyme – Pyruvate carboxylase is a biotin enzyme that catalyze the anaplerotic reaction for the carboxylation of pyruvate in order to replenish and maintain oxaloacetate concentrations in the Kerbs tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. As a result, the pyruvate carboxylase enzyme in considered crucial for metabolism as it controls how much fuel is allocated toward different processes such as gluconeogenesis and insulin secretion.

Interesting facts – Deficiencies have serious disease implication and can lead to serious metabolic disorders, including lactic acidosis and neurological issues. Deficiencies in Pyruvate carboxylase is interesting due to the complex implications it has for metabolism and health, highlighting how a single enzyme can impact multiple pathways. While it is a rare occurrence the uniqueness of this disorder revealed critical insight into both genetic and biochemical processes. There are three classification of phenotypes can each with distinct metabolic disturbances and outcomes which allow researchers the ability to explore molecular mechanisms underlying varying severity and symptoms which could lead to the development of therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, the evolutionary conservation and intricate regulation of the PC gene across species opens avenues for understanding not just this deficiency, but also broader metabolic functions and potential interventions in related metabolic disorders. have serious disease implication and can lead to serious metabolic disorders, including lactic acidosis and neurological issues.

References:

How to Make Pyruvate Carboxylase. (2021, March 1). How to Make Pyruvate Carboxylase [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-mjZm6SgWI

Jitrapakdee, S., St Maurice, M., Rayment, I., Cleland, W. W., Wallace, J. C., & Attwood, P. V. (2008). Structure, mechanism and regulation of pyruvate carboxylase. The Biochemical journal, 413(3), 369–387. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2859305/ – :~:text=Pyruvate%20carboxylase%20(PC)%20is%20a,for%20various%20pivotal%20biochemical%20pathways.

ScienceDirect. (n.d.). Pyruvate carboxylase. In Topics in biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology. Retrieved October 17, 2024, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/pyruvate-carboxylase