mitochondrial pyruvate transmembrane transport

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The process in which pyruvate is transported across a mitochondrial membrane, into or out of the mitochondrion. [GOC:vw, PMID:22628558]

Mitochondrial pyruvate transmembrane transport is a crucial step in cellular respiration, enabling the transfer of pyruvate, a key metabolic intermediate, from the cytoplasm into the mitochondrial matrix. This process is facilitated by a specific transporter protein called the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC), a dimeric protein embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane.

The transport mechanism involves a series of conformational changes in the MPC protein, allowing pyruvate to move across the membrane against its concentration gradient. This active transport process is driven by the electrochemical potential difference across the inner mitochondrial membrane, which is maintained by the proton gradient established during electron transport.

Pyruvate enters the mitochondrial matrix through the MPC, where it is then decarboxylated by pyruvate dehydrogenase complex to produce acetyl-CoA. Acetyl-CoA is a key substrate for the citric acid cycle, which generates electron carriers (NADH and FADH2) that are ultimately used in oxidative phosphorylation to produce ATP, the primary energy currency of the cell.

In summary, mitochondrial pyruvate transmembrane transport is a vital step in cellular respiration, enabling the entry of pyruvate into the mitochondrial matrix, where it is converted to acetyl-CoA and further metabolized to produce ATP. The transport process is mediated by the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) and driven by the electrochemical potential difference across the inner mitochondrial membrane.'
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Proteins (1)

Compounds (1)