Top topic this week
Back to FAQs
Related FAQs
Frequently Asked Question
Questions asked by users might not always be phrased in the clearest way.
How does calcium regulate pyruvate dehydrogenase?
Accepted Answer
Calcium ions (Ca²⁺) play a crucial role in regulating pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activity, a key enzyme in cellular respiration. Ca²⁺ activates PDH by binding to the regulatory subunit of the PDH complex. This binding promotes the phosphorylation of PDH by PDH kinase, leading to a conformational change that activates the enzyme. The active PDH then catalyzes the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA, which enters the citric acid cycle, ultimately producing ATP. Therefore, Ca²⁺ signaling plays a vital role in controlling energy metabolism by influencing PDH activity.
Articles you might like