What are the different fates of pyruvate?

Sourav PanDecember 14, 2024

Answered

The different fates of pyruvate depend on the metabolic conditions of the cell. Under aerobic conditions, pyruvate is primarily converted into acetyl-CoA, which enters the citric acid cycle for oxidative phosphorylation. In the absence of oxygen, pyruvate undergoes fermentation, either into lactate (lactic acid fermentation) in muscle cells or into ethanol and CO2 (alcoholic fermentation) in yeast. Additionally, pyruvate can be involved in gluconeogenesis (glucose production) or contribute to amino acid biosynthesis in certain conditions. These various pathways are essential for energy production and biosynthetic processes, particularly under anaerobic or low-oxygen conditions.